Mindoro Fishermen Seek Tulfo’s Help in Oil Spill Compensation Delay

Fishermen from Oriental Mindoro have appealed to Senator Raffy Tulfo for help in expediting compensation claims from the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPCF) more than two years after a major oil spill ruined their livelihoods, according to a public statement from the group.

The fishermen, identifying themselves as boat owners and crew members, said their claims had been rejected twice by the IOPCF despite providing the requested documents.

They described the severe economic impact of the spill, which halted fishing activities during peak season.

“Kami po ang mga PANGULONG OWNER at MGA TRIPULANTE ay lumalapit sa pamunuan ni Senador Raffy Tulfo in Action upang humingi ng tulong laban sa IOPCF (International Oil Spill Compensation Fund) sa kadahilang dalawang beses po kami nareject kahit po ibinigay namin sa kanila ang mga dukomento na kanilang hinihingi,” the group said in their statement posted on FB.

Reports said there are ongoing delays in compensation payouts for those affected by the February 2023 sinking of the MT Princess Empress, an oil tanker carrying about 800,000 liters of industrial fuel that sank off the coast of Naujan town, Oriental Mindoro.

The incident triggered one of the country’s worst environmental disasters in recent years, with oil slicks spreading to nearby provinces, contaminating marine ecosystems, and forcing a two-month fishing ban in affected areas.

“Noong taong 2023 po ng Marso ay nagkaroon ng OIL SPILL dito sa mindoro at noon ay kasagsagan ng tag isda at ang buong pangulong po ay nakakahuli ng mahigit isang toneladang isda ngunit ito po ay napatigil dahil sa oil spill. Wala pong pinapayagang maglayag na mga pangulong dahil nagbaba po ng ordinansa na ipinagbabawal ang pangingisda sa loob ng dalawang buwan,” the fishermen added.

The spill led to widespread health issues among residents, including dizziness and fever, and caused damage to tourism and fisheries.

A sustainability think tank estimated the total environmental and economic damage at P41.2 billion pesos.

Cleanup operations were declared complete by late 2023, but experts warn of long-term ecological repercussions.

On compensation, the IOPCF, which provides financial relief for oil pollution damage from tankers in member states including the Philippines, has processed claims through a dedicated office established with Philippine authorities.

As of February 2025, around 30,000 fisherfolk had received payments, with an estimated 35,000 to 40,000 individuals from Oriental Mindoro expected to qualify overall.

However, many claimants report rejections and delays, with full payouts potentially extending until 2027.

“Sa madaling salita malaki po ang nawala sa aming KITA sa loob ng dalawang buwan at malaki din po ang naging gastos dahil sa mga bale ng mga tauhan na naapektuhan ng oil spill,” the group said. “Ngunit bakit po hindi nila nakikita na mas malaki ang naging epekto sa mga may ari ng pangulong at lalong higit sa mga tauhan dahil wala pong hanapbuhay noon na lubhang kailangan namin at ng aming pamilya.”

The fishermen said their unity in seeking Tulfo’s intervention to speed up the process, without intending to embarrass Mindoro politicians.

“Kaya po nagkaisa kami na himingi ng tulong kay Sir Raffy Tulfo upang mas mabilis kaming mabayaran sa mga pinsala na naidulot sa amin ng Oil Spill. Mahigit dalawang taon na po kami naghihintay ngunit puro REJECTION lang ang aming natatanggap mula sa IOPCF,” they said.

“Wala po kaming gusto ipahiya na kahit na sinong politiko dito sa lugar namin. Ang tanging gusto lang po namin ay magkaroon ng taong mas makakatulong sa amin at mas mapabilis na makuha namin ang kabayaran na dapat ay para sa aming mga mangingisda.”

The group urged the public to share their message to reach Tulfo.

The Philippine government provided initial emergency aid worth P1.86 million pesos to affected areas in the months following the spill, including relief and recovery efforts.

(photo courtesy of The Philippine Star)