NPC releases P6.3M to residents affected by oil spill in Semirara
San Jose, Antique – The National Power Corporation (NPC) released P6,342,800 to the residents of Barangay Semirara, Caluya who were affected by the Oil Spill on December 18, 2005 which affected their livelihood project, said Jesse L. Vego Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer, DENR-Antique.
A total of 180 residents received the rehabilitation fund composed of 3 crab gatherers, 19 seaweed farmers, 23 baklad operators, 57 lambat fishnets operators and 77 shell gatherers. Workers and Laborers were also given P130,000.00 for the establishment of nursery as source of planting materials for mangrove plantation and natural mangrove stand.
The beneficiaries were provided with deep sea fishing "Pangulong" with complete equipment and fishing nets as part owners and stockholders through Semirara Aqua Farm and Fisherman's Association organized by DENR and local government of Caluya under the oil spill rehabilitation program.
Way back in December 18, 2005 NPC PB 106 carrying 890,000 liters bunker oil ran aground (at approximately 20 nautical miles from its destination from Masbate to San Jose Oriental Mindoro) at the east coast of shoreline of Semirara Island Caluya due to tropical depression Quedan which raptured the fuel tanks leading to the release of bunker oil to the mangrove areas, shorelines, seaweed farm and fishing ground.
On the other hand, the Barangay Council of Semirara, Caluya represented by Punong Barangay Noeli G. Lim and Kagawad Norma Bartolo signed the Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources on Green Philippines Program as stakeholders in its implementation, monitoring, evaluation and documentation.
As agreed Barangay Semirara will establish nursery, maintain and propagate at least 20,000 seedlings, identify areas for rehabilitation and agroforestry development, forest/mangrove tree planting and ensure local stakeholders perform their responsibilities for the sustainability of the project. (PIA)