IPOCF to refund only Petron's clean up, disposal expenses
Not only are the residents affected by the oil spill file compensation claims with the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund (IOPCF), even Petron Corp. owner of the 2 million liters of bunker oil which spilled off the waters of Guimaras is filing reimbursements with the IOPCF.
An official of the IOPCF disclosed that Petron initially asked P180 million refund but the Fund only released P60 million as the other expenses were not related to cleaning and disposal of oily debris in the areas affected by the oil spill.
IOPCF Deputy Director and Technical Advisor Joe Nichols observed that bulk of the reimbursements asked by the oil firm belong to "public relations expenses."
Nichols said, as a rule IOPCF will only reimburse Petron in all its cleaning and disposal expenses.
He said the Fund could not refund expenses such as "bribes" to public officials, public relations, aid packages and food to the oil spill victims.
Nichols said Petron was so helpful with the Fund in organizing claims workshops but some of their claims are not pollution-related claims.
The issue on alleged bribe money cropped up two weeks ago involving four provincial board members of Guimaras.
Petron reportedly offered bribe money to Board members Allan Chavez, Rolando Gadnanan, Vicente de Asis and David Gano.
Of the four board members, only Gano immediately confirmed they were treated with lunch and was offered money when they went to Bulacan for a conference. Gano said he returned the money to Petron's driver.
Meanwhile, it took weeks for Gadnanan, De Asis and Chavez to comment on the alleged bribe money. The trio claimed they also returned the money.