Frasco: Puerto Galera remains unaffected by oil spill, continues to open for tourists worldwide

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said Thursday Puerto Galera town in Oriental Mindoro continues to be unaffected by the recent oil spill, adding that it remains open for tourists worldwide.

Frasco, together with Puerto Galera Mayor Rocky Ilagan and other officials, joined a scuba diving activity in La Laguna Point, Puerto Galera to show support to the popular local diving spot on Wednesday.

“Puerto Galera continues to be unaffected by the oil spill and it continues to open itself to tourism worldwide. We are hopeful that through the efforts of the provincial government of Mindoro, our local government units, our mayors, our congressmen, as well as the help of the regional office of the DOT that tourism recovery and transformation under the Marcos Administration will continue,” Frasco said in a statement.

“Notwithstanding the difficulties, the challenges, and the calamities this province has and is facing, the Philippines, including Puerto Galera and Mindoro continues to be a beautiful tourist destination,” she added.

The DOT chief said her recent visit to the town was also to encourage more tourists to visit Puerto Galera.

MT Princess Empress was carrying 900,000 liters of industrial fuel oil when it sank due to strong waves in Oriental Mindoro on February 28. All the 20 people on board were rescued.

According to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the motor tanker sank 400 meters into the ocean, which was too deep for divers to reach.

The University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI) earlier said the oil slick from the sunken motor tanker may reach Puerto Galera and Batangas.

UP-MSI associate professor Dr. Irene Rodriguez explained that in their recent projections based on the water currents and wind flow, the Northeast Monsoon or Amihan has slowed down and is going towards the north along the Verde Island passage.

The DOT secretary, however, said that at least 66 tourist attractions have been affected by the oil spill while over 1,400 tourism workers were affected.

Frasco said the department will also provide training programs to the affected tourism workers in the municipalities of Gloria, Pinamalayan, Naujan, San Teodoro, Pola, Bulalacao, Mansalay, and Calapan City.

She also expressed commitment to fund qualified tourism-related projects through the Tourism Infrastructure and Economic Zone Authority (TIEZA) for each of the affected municipalities.

“Magbibigay po tayo ng (We will give) P2 million for each affected local government unit for any tourism-related project that will fall under the guidelines of the financial assistance of TIEZA,” she added.

Meanwhile, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) also earlier said it planned to provide the more than 2,000 oil spill affected fisherfolk of Oriental Mindoro with alternative livelihood training.

An expert estimated that it would take six months to 1 year to finish the cleanup for the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro, according to Pola town Mayor Jennifer Cruz.—Richa Noriega/AOL, GMA Integrated News