FOOD AID. Workers upload family food packs for residents affected by oil spill in San Ricardo, Southern Leyte in this July 12, 2023 photo. The aid distributed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to the affected fishermen and their families served as augmentation support to the local government. (Photo courtesy of DSWD)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regional office has distributed 300 family food packs (FFPs) as initial assistance to families affected by the recent oil spill in San Ricardo, Southern Leyte.
Recipients are 300 families from the coastal villages of Benit, Cabutan and Timba villages in San Ricardo town near the port for Mindanao-bound vessels.
The aid distributed to the affected fishermen and their families served as augmentation support to the local government. The FFPs distributed came from prepositioned goods in Sogod, Southern Leyte.
Aside from the initial assistance, the department will also conduct a food-for-work program where an additional 300 FFPs will be distributed in exchange for the services of affected residents.
“It is expected that through this program, each affected family will help in the coastal clean-up and other activities that are part of the local government's prevention and mitigation activity,” the DSWD regional office here said Thursday.
The Philippine Coast Guard said in a latest report that it is still investigating two vessels to determine the cause of the oil spill on July 7.
It is estimated that up to one kilometer of the sea is affected by the oil spill, disrupting fishing activities.
The Coast Guard Southern Leyte Station took samples from the oil that spilled into the sea to match them with those of the two suspected vessels --LCT Georgia-1 and MV San Ric Ferry 20.
Personnel from the PCG, local government officials and volunteer residents have been participating in oil spill cleanup activities since July 8. (PNA)
