MANILA (UPDATE) - The oil spill from the sunken oil tanker in Oriental Mindoro has reached Caluya, Antique, the Philippine Coast Guard said Saturday.

According to a report from the PCG District Western Visayas, the oil spill was monitored in the shorelines of the following areas in Caluya town:

• Sitio Sabang, Brgy. Tinogboc (1km)
• Liwagao Island, Brgy. Sibolo (2km)
• Sitio Tambak, Brgy. Semirara (2km)

A clean-up in those areas is currently ongoing, the PCG said.

The MT Princess Empress sank with its cargo of 800,000 liters of industrial fuel oil as it sailed into rough seas off Naujan, Oriental Mindoro on Tuesday.

The PCG said the vessel could be 300 meters under the sea, but expert divers could only reach 180 meters deep.

• Coast guard races to contain oil spill from sunken tanker
• 20 nasagip mula sa lumubog na motor tanker sa Or. Mindoro

Marine experts have said over 24,000 hectares of coral reef area in the Mindoro provinces alone may be at risk from the oil spill.

• Over 24,000 hectares of coral reef at risk in Oriental Mindoro oil spill: marine experts

The PCG advised residents from four municipalities in Oriental Mindoro to avoid fishing activities due to possible oil hazards.

In Liwagao Island, around 150 families or 600 residents have been affected by the oil spill, the agency said.

GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday said the government is prepared to provide aid to families and individuals affected by the oil spill.

"Special attention will be given to the affected fisherfolk who will be losing their source of livelihood because of the oil spill," he said.

In a statement, the Department of Social Welfare and Development said Secretary Rex Gatchalian will lead the distribution Saturday of aids under the agencfy’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations and cash-for-work programs.

Gatchalian said over 7,000 affected families in Naujan, Pola, Pinamalayan, Bongabong, Gloria, and Bansud in Oriental Mindoro have already started receiving family food packs on Friday in coordination with Oriental Mindoro Governor Bonz Dolor.

He said the number of affected families may reach 10,000.

“This will be a sustained endeavor while the oil spill prevents our fisher folk from conducting their regular livelihood activities,” Gatchalian said.

The DSWD MIMAROPA has prepositioned more than P78.9 million worth of standby and stockpile funds composed of some 42,400 family food packs, and standby funds amounting to P7.2 million which can be tapped for augmentation, the agency said.

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