Philippines: Three Years After Verde Island Passage Oil Spill, Communities Press for Justice

Three years after the oil spill that struck the Verde Island Passage (VIP), fisherfolk, Church leaders, environmental advocates, academics, and local government officials gathered on Feb. 28 in the coastal town of Pola, Oriental Mindoro, considered the disaster’s ground zero, to demand justice, rehabilitation, and long-term protection of one of the world’s most biodiverse marine corridors.

The commemoration was organized by Protect VIP, the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED), and the local government of Pola, the municipality hardest hit by the 2023 oil spill. Ahead of the program, the municipal government held a symbolic marathon, “Run for Recovery,” marking the community’s continuing recovery efforts.

Fr. Edwin Gariguez, lead convenor of Protect VIP, said the gathering was both a remembrance and a call for accountability.

“Today, we stand not only to remember the devastation that befell the VIP and its communities, but to continue calling for justice that delivers fair compensation to those affected and holds the corporations responsible accountable for the damages inflicted upon the marine ecosystem and the communities relying on it,” Gariguez said.

Compensation Still Pending

Affected fisherfolk said many families are still waiting for compensation nearly three years after the spill.

On Dec. 9, 2025, impacted residents filed a class suit before the Regional Trial Court in Pinamalayan seeking accountability from shipowner RDC Reield Marine Services Inc.; charterer SL Harbor Bulk Terminal Corporation, a subsidiary of San Miguel Corporation; insurer The Shipowners’ Club; and the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPC).

A study by CEED (Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development) estimated that the oil spill caused P41.2 billion in environmental and socio-economic damages.

Gerry Arances, CEED executive director, said the disaster reflected increasing industrial activity in the marine corridor.

“The 2023 oil spill is a consequence of massive industrialization and concentration of polluting industries in the VIP. When there is heavy traffic of ships carrying toxic cargo traversing this marine corridor, there are more chances for such disasters to happen,” Arances said.

He warned that continued exposure to fossil fuel transport raises the risk of future spills and stressed the need for stronger protection measures.

Push for Protected Status

Gariguez said justice must be paired with long-term environmental safeguards.

“As we continue to demand that our cries for justice be heard, we also pray for the full recovery of the damaged ecosystems and livelihoods caused by this oil spill. True recovery is not simply about moving on, but putting in lasting protection to ensure that similar disasters will not be repeated,” he said.

He reiterated calls to designate the Verde Island Passage as a protected area under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (ENIPAS) Act.

Pola Mayor Jennifer Cruz supported the proposal and said protection efforts should also prioritize fishing communities.

“The Verde Island Passage must be protected. Not only that, but our fisherfolk must also be protected, across the Philippines, not only in Pola, not only in Oriental Mindoro,” Cruz said.