Fisherfolk affected by last year's oil spill in Oriental Mindoro are questioning the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) MIMAROPA regarding the promised P200 million aid from House Speaker Martin Romualdez. This prompted around 400 fisherfolk from various groups to visit the DOLE office in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, on Wednesday, September 18.
According to Benedict Sibayan, president of Hayuma, the fisherfolk are seeking the remaining P124 million from the P200 million pledge, as only P75 million has been disbursed so far through the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program.
Sibayan explained that they were asking DOLE officials about the remaining funds, but even after meeting with DOLE MIMAROPA Assistant Regional Director Nicanor Bon, they failed to get clear answers.
DOLE MIMAROPA later issued a statement confirming that all the funds allocated for the TUPAD program had been fully released, with no pending allocations. According to DOLE, they provided assistance to 5,934 fisherfolk, totaling P71,834,429, for 30 days of work under the program.
The agency assured that any allocated funds are directed towards vulnerable sectors in the region and distributed based on the agency's guidelines.
However, the fisherfolk expressed their dissatisfaction and indicated that they will escalate the issue to Speaker Romualdez’s office to seek further clarification.
