By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora

HELP IS HERE. A South Korean vessel reached Manila on Wednesday morning (April 5, 2023) carrying P11 million worth of Korean-donated supplies to help counter the oil spill in Mindoro. The shipment reached the Port Area in Manila and unloaded 20 tons of sorbent pads and snares, 1,000 meters of solid flotation curtain boom, and 2,000 sets of personal protective equipment (PPE). (Photo courtesy of the Korean Embassy in Manila)

MANILA – The PHP11 million worth of equipment donated by South Korea to help the Philippines’ oil spill response in Mindoro has arrived in Manila.

The shipment reached the Port Area in Manila on Wednesday morning and unloaded 20 tons of sorbent pads and snares, 1,000 meters of solid flotation curtain boom, and 2,000 sets of personal protective equipment (PPE).

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) thanked the South Korean government and welcomed the donations, which will be delivered to the affected region promptly.

“The Republic of Korea would continue to stand together with the Philippines based on decades-long partnership with the Philippines in various areas of cooperation. The two countries expect the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic ties in 2024,” the Korean Embassy said.

Ahead of the shipment, Seoul sent four experts from the Korea Coast Guard (KCG) Emergency Response Team to assist Filipino authorities in the response and clean-up efforts in Mindoro, where the sunken MT Princess Empress spilled about 800,000 liters of industrial fuel oil last February.

The experts, together with officials from the Embassy, provided technical support to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and partners, including the United States Coast Guard (USCG).

During their five-day visit to Mindoro, the Korean team also provided aid supplies to affected residents, including drinking water and safety guidelines. (PNA)