DOLE Allocates PHP45 Million for Emergency Employment of 1,357 Oil Spill-Affected Workers in Bataan

MANILA — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has earmarked PHP45 million to provide emergency employment for 1,357 individuals impacted by the recent oil spill in Bataan, the agency announced on Thursday. The affected residents will be employed under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay Para sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) Program, which offers short-term employment opportunities to those in need.

According to Philippines News Agency, the beneficiaries in Bataan will be engaged in various tasks, including the collection of coconut husks and the creation of spill booms to mitigate the effects of the oil spill. The workers will also assist in clean-up operations following the aftermath of Super Typhoon Carina. The employment period will range from 10 to 20 days, depending on the specific tasks assigned.

The oil spill occurred on July 25, 2024, when the fuel tanker MT Terra Nova, carrying approximately 1.5 million liters of industrial oil, sank off the coast of Limay, Bataan. The spill has since affected several areas, including parts of Cavite. Multiple government agencies are coordinating efforts to contain and address the environmental impact of the spill.

Super Typhoon Carina, which struck the region on July 24, 2024, exacerbated the situation by bringing heavy rains and flooding to Luzon, including Metro Manila. Other areas affected by the typhoon include the Ilocos Region, Abra, Benguet, Zambales, Bataan, Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, and the Cordillera Administrative Region.