The Philippine island of Mindoro was hit with a massive oil spill from the Princess Empress tanker in February 2023. The accident has caused damage to marine life, affected the health of islanders, and impacted their livelihoods. The oil spill has affected hundreds of fishing communities near Pola, and more than 20 marine protected areas. Local fishermen like Vicente Madera Jr, who used to earn his livelihood from fishing, has lost his income. Madera, who has a wife and five children, is worried about feeding his family since they cannot afford to buy fish. More than 21,000 families in the province are affected. The oil spill has affected local businesses and tourism and also daily life. The oil spill has also impacted the health of the islanders. People have been experiencing difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhoea, coughs, dizziness, eye irritation and fevers. The Philippines government has advised those with respiratory illnesses to evacuate and for others to wear an industrial gas mask and ensure they get water from safe sources.


Toxicologists are monitoring and treating people affected by the spill. A cash-for-work programme was introduced this month and extended until May, which pays participants who assist in the clean-up operations. The government has allocated over 84.4m pesos to the programme, initially intended for 14,000 participants. However, some complain that compensation levels do not match what they earn from fishing.


The oil spill has also impacted the environment. The oil slick stretching for 75 miles has left black sludge on the beaches and rockpools. The locals' main source of food was fish, which has become scarce. The lack of food is a constant worry, and people are now relying on vegetables and their remaining livestock. With no income, people are struggling to make ends meet, and the oil spill is affecting their daily life.


The islanders are worried about their future. The barangay captain, Annabel Ferrera, fears for her community. The province is still recovering from super-typhoon Rai, which ravaged the region in late 2021, and the oil spill could lead to desperate measures, such as the illegal drug trade. The environmental impact of the oil spill has been significant, and the long-term effects are still unknown. The government must take action to help the affected communities and find ways to prevent such disasters in the future.