Naujan, Oriental Mindoro—Malampaya Foundation Inc (MFI) together with the provincial government of Oriental Mindoro (PGOM) yesterday turned over 46 Japan-made marine engines to active deputized bantay dagats (sea rangers) from the different coastal municipalities to support the strengthening of enforcement within municipal waters as part of the province’s 2023-2027 Oil Spill Recovery Plan.
MFI Chairman Rufino Bomasang and Governor Bonz Dolor led the turn-over ceremonies held on May 13, 2024 in the municipality of Naujan.
The recovery plan was drawn up in response to the massive oil spill by a fuel tanker from Bataan plying the eastern Mindoro route in February 2023, affecting several southern municipalities of the province and triggering the largest oil spill response in the country.
The Malampaya joint venture partners and MFI supported the province in 2023 with the deployment to Oriental Mindoro of oil spill kits and other containment materials from its Batangas supply base, as well as more than 50 tonnes of food aid support to active bantay dagats and conservation partner people’s organization members. Other coastline and MPA protection materials for LGUs were also provided.
The PGOM and MFI have been partners in marine biodiversity conservation since 2013.
