By Christian Dee
MANILA, Philippines – Vice President and Department of Education Secretary Sara Duterte led relief operations on Monday, March 13, for more than a thousand residents of Caluya, a coastal town in Antique, affected by the massive oil spill.
In a statement, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) provided Relief for Individuals in Crisis and Emergencies (RICE) food boxes and also joined by the Department of Welfare and Social Development in distributing emergency cash assistance through Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).
According the OVP, the RICE food boxes were distributed to a total of 1,200 residents in Barangays Seminara, Tinogboc, Alegria, Sibolo, and Sitio Liwagao.
The coastal town of Caluya is now under state of calamity after the oil spill from the submerged motor tanker, MT Princes Empress, reached its waters that affected the resident’s livelihood and fishing activities.
The OVP Disaster Operations Center added that at least 25,733 individuals or 7,617 families were affected in the said town. Among the affected ones were 3,649 fisherfolks and at least 450 seaweed planters.