Limay, Bataan-In the wake of the oil spill from the sinking of MT Terranova off Limay, Bataan, Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino has proposed legislation to broaden compensation measures to include all sectors affected by major disasters. During a Thursday announcement, Tolentino highlighted the economic impact on various community segments beyond just direct victims, such as fisherfolk.
According to Philippines News agency, the current legal framework primarily compensates directly affected workers but neglects the secondary tiers of affected industries, such as fish vendors who suffer lost sales and income. He suggested amendments that would expand eligibility for compensation and insurance to encompass these additional groups, reflecting a more holistic approach to disaster recovery. The proposal comes in response to observations from affected communities and ongoing Senate inquiries into the incident, emphasizing the need for a more inclusive support mechanism for all sectors impacted by such tragedies.