Almost two years after one of the country’s worst environmental disasters, fishermen in Oriental Mindoro have finally received compensation for their losses from the International Oil Pollution Compensation (IOPC) fund.

Governor Humerlito “Bonz” Dolor announced that nearly 30,000 legitimate claimants have now received payments, with some individuals receiving as much as P700,000.

“The vast majority of affected fishermen have now received their compensation,” Governor Dolor told reporters.

The environmental disaster began on February 8, 2023, when the tanker MT Princess Empress sank near Balingawan Point in Pola, Oriental Mindoro.

The vessel was carrying nearly one million liters of industrial fuel intended for delivery to Iloilo from Bataan.

The resulting oil spill spread beyond Oriental Mindoro, contaminating coastlines in Batangas, Palawan, and Antique provinces, devastating marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of thousands of families dependent on fishing and tourism.

While most small-scale fishermen have received compensation, operators of larger fishing boats known locally as “pangulong” are still fighting for recognition of their claims.

The IOPC initially rejected their applications on grounds that their fishing areas were not directly affected by the oil spill.

However, the boat operators argue they suffered financial losses because the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) prohibited them from sailing during the crisis.

In response, Governor Dolor has facilitated meetings between the operators and the PCG, which has agreed to provide official certification confirming the fishing ban.

“We’re consolidating all legitimate claimants in our meetings with the IOPC,” Dolor explained. “The IOPC and provincial government assure that as long as claims are legitimate and well-documented, compensation will be provided.”

Approximately 300 tourism workers have also started receiving payments, with an estimated 1,000 to 1,200 more tourism-related claimants expected to receive compensation.

In total, between 35,000 and 40,000 individuals from Oriental Mindoro are anticipated to receive payments from the IOPC fund.

“Oriental Mindoro has received compensation faster than any other province affected by an oil spill worldwide,” Governor Dolor said. “We’re grateful our residents didn’t have to wait an exceptionally long time.”

The provincial government is also preparing its own claim for expenses related to the oil spill response, with initial assessments indicating they will claim at least P41 million pesos.

This figure does not include compensation for environmental damage, which is still being assessed.

Anyone who has not yet submitted a claim to the IOPC has until March 1, 2026 to complete the necessary requirements.

The MT Princess Empress, operated by RDC Reield Marine Services, sank in what became one of the most destructive maritime environmental disasters in recent history, affecting thousands of families whose livelihoods depend on the sea.

File photo on the oil spill: courtesy of Greenpeace Philippines