Cavite LGU seeks P10-M compensation for each day oil spill disrupts livelihood of fisherfolk

The local government of Cavite is seeking millions of pesos as compensation from the owners of MTKR Terranova, which capsized off the waters of Bataan, for the effects of the oil leak on the livelihood of resident.

Shellfish vendor Babylyn would have to stop her business for a while due to poor sales. 

“Sobrang tumal, di katulad ng dati. (Ngayon) halos walang bumibili,” she said in Jun Veneracion’s report on "Saksi" Tuesday. 

(My sales are sluggish unlike before. Almost no one is buying.) 

Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla said the compensation of more than P10 million a day is equivalent to the daily wage of 350 pesos of residents whose livelihood that is dependent on the condition of the sea. 

“They assured us na ang mga 31,000 fisherfolks will be compensated in due time,” said Remulla. 

But the distribution of cash assistance to affected fisherfolks would take at least three months as they have to undergo a validation process. 

Remulla met with representatives of the MTKR Terranova and the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund

He said that the people behind the capsized vessel will be held accountable.

“Kung may pananagutang kriminal sa nangyari sa Terranova ay mananagot sila,” said Remulla. 

(They could face criminal charges for what happened to Terranova.) 

Further, authorities will also investigate if the MTKR Terranova is involved in stealing fuel from another vessel.

“Yung paihi po kasi yun yung parang yung gas ng isang vessel kinukuha ng isa pang vessel para ibenta so natatagal po yung trip. Sa ganoong paraang makatagal sila, naka tengga naabutan tuloy sila ng bagyo,” said Department of Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano. “But of course we cannot make conclusions but red flag siya.” 

(The "pa-ihi" is a scheme in which a vessel is getting fuel from another vessel to sell it. It’s possible that they were just afloat off the waters and got stranded because of the typhoon. But of course we cannot make conclusions, but it’s a red flag.) 

The owner of the MTKR Terranova denied being involved in such a scheme, adding that the vessel has no record of oil loss since its first operation.

"The owners of MTKr Terranova, categorically deny the allegations of smuggling and involvement in "pa-ihi" operations. MTKr Terranova is equipped with a comprehensive CCTV system as part of the company's pro-active measures to prevent oil loss," the Porta Vaga Ship Management in a statement

"Since the commencement of its operations, there have been no records of oil loss claims or reports of abnormal losses filed against MTKr Terranove by any of its charterers," it added. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BAP, GMA Integrated News