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Mindoro oil spill endangers diverse marine ecosystem, people’s lives: Sen. Francis “Tol” Tolentino, during Monday’s plenary session March 6, 2023, raises alarm over the recent maritime incident which threatened to affect local ecosystem. Tolentino said MT Princess Empress, which sank off Oriental Mindoro last February 28, carried 800,000 liters industrial fuel oil that spread over 24 square kilometers and may reach Boracay Island. It has already affected more than 10,000 families. “The current oil spill trajectory model by marine experts projected that approximately 20,000 hectares of coral reef, 9,900 hectares of mangroves, 6,000 hectares of seagrass may be affected and the oil spill may also potentially reach as far as the shores of Palawan,” Tolentino said in a privilege speech. He stressed that the Maritime Industry Authority is mandated to undertake the safety regulatory functions pertaining to vessel operations, while the Philippine Coast Guard is mandated to enforce all maritime laws. “While we are seeking accountability, our efforts in the meantime should be focused on the containment of the oil spill to prevent it from causing further irreversible damage to our marine ecosystem,” Tolentino said. “Today, 18,000 fishermen lost their livelihood. If we fail to contain the oil spill, it will affect thousands more. But, just as we have done again and again, we will rise as a nation and face this tragedy as one,” he added. (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)