Prayer starts the commemoration day of oil spill in Philippines’ Verde Island Passage

On Wednesday morning, Oriental Mindoro Bishop Moises Cuevas presided over a mass at the Pola Community College, gathering locals and supporters to remember the tragedy that struck their shores on February 28 last year.

The Tanker Princess Empress, carrying 900,000 liters of industrial oil, sank off the coast of Oriental Mindoro, which is within the Verde Island Passage (VIP), which is known as the “center of global shore fish biodiversity” due to the high densities of marine resources in the area.

“Today, we gather in prayer and unity to commemorate the day that changed the course of the lives of the people of Oriental Mindoro. Pope Francis, in his Laudate Deum, reminds us that the most effective solutions will not come from individual efforts alone, but above all from major political decisions,” said Fr. Edwin Gariguez, lead convenor of Protect VIP.

Protect VIP is a coalition advocating for the Verde Island Passage's protection.

Fisherfolk, affected communities, religious groups, and youth gathered together and “called attention to the slow progress made on justice, compensation, and recovery.”

“Our fight does not end today, and we will not cease to fight until we see a clear path towards its recovery, which would only be possible if justice is served, polluters are held accountable, and communities are properly compensated,” added Fr.  Gariguez. 

“The marine life and the people who depend on the Verde Island Passage deserve nothing less than 41.2 billion, which is the estimated damage caused by the oil spill,” said the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED). This think tank released the valuation report for the oil spill damages.

“We hope that this number serves as a guidepost for the government and the agencies for tougher policies in protecting our waters and ensuring that no polluter walks free from their accountability,” said Gerry Arances, co-convenor of Protect VIP and executive director of CEED.

He underscored policymakers' need for decisive actions to prioritize urgent protection for the VIP.

The program also highlighted the unveiling of the design for a commemorative marker to be built in Pola as a symbol of the community's courage and determination.

A symbolic march to the Pola bridge showcasing a mural designed by renowned artist AG “Whale Boy” Sano, in collaboration with local communities and youth groups, was also undertaken.

“The mural and marker will memorialize the unwavering spirit of the people of Mindoro in the face of the oil spill. This will be a permanent reminder of what the polluters owe to the communities and what the government must do to protect the Verde Island Passage,” added Gariguez.  (MTV)