Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Residents of Oriental Mindoro attend a legal caravan for the filing of claims for compensation over the 2023 oil spill that affected their lives and livelihood. Dennis Datu, ABS-CBN News

Residents of Oriental Mindoro attend a legal caravan for the filing of claims for compensation over the 2023 oil spill that affected their lives and livelihoods. Dennis Datu, ABS-CBN News

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Dennis Datu

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1771114200784viber_image_2026-02-15_03-18-47-276.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Residents of Oriental Mindoro attend a legal caravan for the filing of claims for compensation over the 2023 oil spill that affected their lives and livelihoods. <em>Dennis Datu, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>CALAPAN CITY, Mindoro — Residents of Oriental Mindoro trooped to the provincial capitol’s legal caravan in Calapan City as the deadline for filing compensation claims for the 2023 oil spill before the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPC) draws near.</p><p>Oil tanker MT Princess Empress, operated by RDC Reield Marine Services, sank in waters near Pola, Oriental Mindoro on February 28, 2023.</p><p>The vessel was carrying more than 900,000 liters of industrial fuel oil from Limay, Bataan, and was bound for Iloilo City.</p><p>The IOPC set a three-year deadline from the date of the oil spill for affected individuals, groups, and local government units to submit compensation claims.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/3/2/many-in-pola-affected-by-mindoro-oil-spill-still-await-compensation-1529">2 years on, many in Pola affected by Mindoro oil spill still await compensation</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>SECTORAL GRIEVANCES</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Among those who attended the legal caravan in Calapan City, organized by the provincial government, were fishermen, boat owners, fish vendors, and workers from the tourism sector seeking clarification on whether they would still receive compensation for their lost livelihoods.</p><p>Mylene Leuterio, a fish vendor from San Teodoro, received P35,000 last year but said the amount was insufficient. She said she submitted a P150,000 claim to the IOPC, which was approved based on the assessment provided to her.</p><p>However, she wants clarification on whether she can still receive the balance.</p><p>“Wala na ho sinabi sa amin na susunod. Ang sabi ho sa amin, kung hindi ho namin kukunin ay hindi na ho namin makukuha, kaya napilitan kami na kunin na namin. Malaki ho ang nalugi sa amin,” Leuterio said.</p><p>(They didn&#x27;t say if there would be  another payment. They told us if we didn&#x27;t take the money, we wouldn&#x27;t receive anything so we had no choice. We lost a lot of money because of the oil spill)</p><p>Olivia Villapaña, a fish vendor from Calapan City, described the P4,000 she received as meager compared to the income she lost after she was barred from selling fish at the height of the oil spill.</p><p>She said she would be content with compensation of between P20,000 and P25,000.</p><p>Fisherman Gomer De Ramos is also appealing to receive the full P69,000 initially indicated in the assessment given to him by the IOPC. He said only P15,000 was released.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/05/16/23/pola-mayor-eyes-other-sources-of-livelihood-for-residents-after-oil-spill">&#x27;Kawawa ang fisherfolk&#x27;: Pola mayor eyes other sources of livelihood for residents after oil spill fiasco<br/></a></div><p>“Ay noong kukunin namin &#x27;yung tira ay denied na daw po &#x27;yung amin. &#x27;Yun nga po, &#x27;di namin malaman eh,” he said.</p><p>(When we went to get the rest of the money, they told us the claim had been denied. We don&#x27;t know what happened)</p><p>His brother, who owns a commercial fishing vessel, had expected to receive P1.1 million in compensation, but the IOPC reportedly said commercial vessels were not covered by the municipal fishing ban.</p><p>Operators said they were still affected because the Philippine Coast Guard barred them from leaving port. </p><p>“Nakapag-meeting na kami sa legal office kasama ang Coast Guard, Maritime, BFAR, at kapulisan,” De Ramos added.</p><p>(We have had meetings with the Coast Guard, Maritime Industry Authority, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the police)</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>THE BURDEN OF PROOF</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Gov. Humerlito “Bonz” Dolor said the legal caravan aimed to assist claimants who believe their assessments were incorrect, those who have yet to receive payment, those whose claims were rejected despite sufficient evidence, and those who intend to bring their claims.</p><p>Provincial administrator and legal officer Earl Turano said the Integrated Bar of the Philippines would assist claimants in filing court cases but said claimants must have proof they were affected and that they are entitled to the amounts asked for.</p><p>“Kapag pumunta po sila sa husgado, unang tanong is: ano ang katibayan mo? Ano ang kaya mong patunayan? Kung ikaw ay mangingisda, kung ikaw ay ambulatory vendor, ano ang katibayan mo?” he said.</p><p>(When they go to court, they will be asked: What is your evidence? What can you prove? If you are a fisherman, if you are an ambulatory vendor, what is your proof?)</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>STATUS OF CLAIMS</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>In an October 23, 2025 report submitted to Dolor by marine claims specialist Aqueous Support Services, Inc., which manages the IOPC claims, more than P2.7 billion has already been paid for claims related to cleanup and preventive measures, fisheries, and tourism.</p><p>More than P1.6 billion has been paid out for 49 claims under the cleanup and preventive measures category while more than P1 billion has been paid out for 33,649 approved claims under the fisheries category.</p><p>In the tourism sector, out of 2,898 claims filed, 1,719 were approved but only 33 have so far been paid, amounting to P2,035,490.</p><p>No claims for property damage were approved.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>LGU PUSHBACK</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The report also stated that only the municipalities of Mansalay, Pinamalayan, Gloria, Bulalacao, and Pola have so far received assessments of the amounts they may claim in connection with expenses incurred for the oil spill response.</p><p>Pola, the municipality hardest hit by the oil spill, is set to receive only P840,754.57 in compensation for its local government unit. </p><p>Mayor Jennifer “Ina Alegre” Cruz said the amount is unacceptable given the extent of what their town suffered.</p><p>“Hahabulin namin talaga kasi para sa Pola &#x27;yun eh,&quot; she said.</p><p>(We will go to court for compensation because that is for Pola)</p><p>Dolor also questioned the IOPC’s approval of only P18 million in compensation for the provincial government, which had filed a claim for P41 million for oil spill response expenses.</p><p>He added that those affected have 20 years to file a criminal case over the oil spill but emphasized that ensuring compensation for affected residents remains the priority.</p><p>In December last year, 50 fishermen from Pinamalayan, Pola, and Calapan City filed a class suit before the Regional Trial Court in Pinamalayan against RDC Reield Marine Services, SL Harbor Bulk Terminal Corporation, and the IOPC Funds.</p>

<p>Among those who attended the legal caravan in Calapan City, organized by the provincial government, were fishermen, boat owners, fish vendors, and workers from the tourism sector seeking clarification on whether they would still receive compensation for their lost livelihoods.</p>

Among those who attended the legal caravan in Calapan City, organized by the provincial government, were fishermen, boat owners, fish vendors, and workers from the tourism sector seeking clarification on whether they would still receive compensation for their lost livelihoods.

Mindoro residents rush to file oil spill claims as deadline looms

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Mindoro residents rush to file oil spill claims as deadline looms

Dennis Datu,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 15, 2026 08:25 AM PHT

Read More:

Pola

Oil spill

Calapan

Oriental Mindoro

Humerlito Dolor

Jennifer Cruz

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