P22M being readied for San Lorenzo fisherfolk
About P22 million is being readied by the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund (IOPCF) for the compensation claims of 1,400 fisherfolk in the town of San Lorenzo, Guimaras. The 1,400 fisherfolk is part of the 3,700 fishermen claimants in the island-province after they incurred damages on their livelihood as a result of the Solar 1 oil spill.
IOPCF Deputy Director/Technical Advisor Joe Nichols said the beneficiary fisherfolk have agreed to settle their claims on the basis of the IOPCF's offers.
Nichols added that additional claims are still coming in. There are some 13,000 claimants of oil spill compensation in the island province of Guimaras.
The compensation package designed for the fishermen range from P6,000 to P30,000. The compensation claims is good for 12 weeks or three months. The payment for the fishermen will be made in form of a check through the Land Bank of the Philippines.
As a matter of IOPCF policy, only the qualified claimant can get the check from the bank and no other parties are authorized to transact or receive the check in behalf of the claimant. This cut downs any dubious claims from any individual or group.
The agreement made between the claimants is a welcome development on the part of the IOPCF and The Shipowners Protection Limited. The IOPCF official is looking forward to make substantial payments to all the affected fishermen and resort operators before Christmas.
Earlier, the IOPCF also paid some P396,888 for the 21 tour operators out of the 34 claimants. The IOPCF made a correction on the earlier data they have for the tourism sector. They earlier reported that there are 22 tour operators who already received their compensation claims.
The compensation scheme depends on the kind of resort, number of visitors and the corresponding losses it incurred during the oil spill. Should a resort owner demand for a much higher price, the IOPCF will also ask the claimant for a supporting paper or document regarding its claim.