CALUYA, Antique — Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday led the relief operations for residents affected by the oil spill in this town.

The Vice President also joined the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the distribution of Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).

This island town is under a state of calamity due to an oil spill that has affected its municipal waters.

Duterte personally led the distribution of the Relief for Individuals in Crisis and Emergencies (RICE) to the oil spill victims, the same number of affected families identified by DSWD for AICS payout.

A total of 1,200 RICE food boxes were distributed in identified payout sites. The affected residents are from Barangays Semirara, Tinogboc, Alegria and Sibolo, and Sitio Liwagao.

According to the Office of the Vice President Disaster Operations Center (OVP-DOC), an oil tanker, MT Princess Empress, carrying approximately 800,000 liters of industrial fuel partially sank due to strong winds on February 28. It fully submerged on March 1.

As of March 3, the oil spill from the tanker near Naujan, Oriental, Mindoro spread to other areas, including Caluya Island, affecting 7,617 families or 25,733 Individuals, at least 450 of whom are seaweed planters and 3,649 fisherfolk. This prompted the municipality to declare a state of calamity.

OVP MEDIA