Senator Bong Go recently reiterated the need to ensure the seaworthiness of sea vessels to prevent disasters such as oil spills, particularly in the case of the recent incident in Oriental Mindoro.
In an ambush interview after aiding fire victims in Binondo, Manila City, Go urged that the Department of Transportation, the Maritime Industry Authority and other concerned agencies should strictly implement necessary standards for sea vessels.
“Kung sino man po ang nagre-regulate ng mga barko, mga vessel, MARINA, Coast Guard, atbp., higpitan ng mabuti kung hanggang saan sila pwede na maglayag… Para hindi na maulit itong ganitong pangyayari. Laking pinsala po ang ginawa ng oil spill sa Mindoro,” the legislator said.
The lawmaker believes that it is essential to tighten regulations and ensure that all ships are safe for operation.
The senator noted that reports from various agencies must be reconciled for authorities to learn from what happened.
Some indicated that the MT Princess Empress, which had capsized off the coast of Naujan town in Oriental Mindoro on February 28 and caused the oil spill, were operating with complete permits while others suggested otherwise.
“Paiba-iba po ang report ng ahensya, ‘yung iba may sinabi na kumpleto ang permits, may sinabi naman na hindi. Mapa-oil tanker o passenger vessel, mahalagang masigurong safe at kumpleto po ang mga papeles ng barko bago po ito lumayag,” he said.
Go also emphasized the need to hold those responsible for the oil spill accountable for their actions, as it has caused significant damage to the environment and affected the livelihoods and health of many residents in the affected areas.
“Dapat po ay mapanagot itong who caused this oil spill, napakalaking pinsala po ito sa ating mga kababayan.”
“Gaya ng panawagan ko noon, dapat po ay mapanagot itong who caused this oil spill, napakalaking pinsala po ito sa ating mga kababayan,” he stressed.
“Ngayon, ilang araw na po ang nakakaraan, marami po ang nawalan ng trabaho. So now is the time, not only sa gobyerno, tayong lahat, magtulungan tayo para maka-recover po itong mga naging biktima ng oil spill,” Go added.
The Department of Tourism’s most recent assessment indicates that the oil spill has damaged 63 tourism sites and has affected approximately 1,000 tourism workers.
The agency has announced that it will provide training for alternative livelihoods to tourism workers who were affected by the oil spill.
In a separate ambush interview in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, Go welcomed the help from the private sector and other countries to aid those affected by the oil spill.
Japan, for instance, has provided assistance in cleaning up the oil spill, which is greatly appreciated, according to him.
The United States has likewise committed to help in the oil spill clean up.
“Makatawid man lang sila until such time na makabalik po sa normal na pamumuhay.”
“Importante po, magtulungan tayo sa ngayon (na) mai-ahon natin ang ating mga kababayan sa hirap na dulot nitong oil spill. Makatawid man lang sila until such time na makabalik po sa normal na pamumuhay,” Go stressed.
To end, he highlighted the difficulty of cleaning up an oil spill and the importance of preventing such incidents from happening in the first place.
“Magtulungan na lang po tayo sa ngayon at papanagutan po who caused the oil spill, kung sino po ang dapat managot, panagutin n’yo. Dapat asikasuhin n’yo po lalo na ang mga mahihirap na apektado,” he reiterated.
Go, recognized for his unwavering commitment to helping the underprivileged, promptly took action to address the needs of affected communities.
On March 23 and 24, he extended assistance to the victims of the oil spill in Pinamalayan and Gloria towns in Oriental Mindoro. On March 27, Go personally aided victims in Pola, while his team assisted those affected in Roxas.
