Church leaders in Philippines call for protected status of the "Amazon of Oceans"

By Thaddeus Jones

Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of San Carlos in the Philippines has called for "justice for the victims" of the oil spill off the coast of the Philippine island of Mindoro, a tragedy that has deprived thousands of local fishermen of their livelihood and caused environmental devastation.

Recalling the first year since the disaster, Bishop Alminaza as the top coordinator of the "Laudato Si" program of the Philippine Bishops' Conference, along with other leaders, issued a statement calling for efforts to assist those affected and to ensure such a disaster never happens again.

Protecting the "Amazon of Oceans"

Efforts to restrict the growth of polluting industries around the "Verde Island Passage" are underway and to have it declared a "protected marine landscape" according to Philippine law designating natural reserves. Fr. Edwin Gariguez, a former director of Caritas in the Philippines is the spokesperson for a group of local and national associations and communities working to preserve biodiversity in this area and assisting coastal fishing populations whose survival depends on it.

Known as the "Amazon of Oceans," the area suffered a massive environmental disaster when an oil tanker carrying 900,000 liters of industrial oil sank and spilled its contents on 1 March 2023.

An aerial view shows the oil spill from the sunken fuel tanker on the shores of Oriental Mindoro Province

In an interview with Fides News agency, Fr. Gariguez lamented that "the water quality in the corridor does not meet the standards for protected waters" and the disastrous impact still weighs heavily on the local fishing industry and economy, apart from putting health at risk. He is calling for "official legal protection" of the area to safeguard biodiversity before it is too late and to assist vulnerable fishing communities.

Philippine Church leaders have called on those responsible for the oil disaster to take responsibility for what needs to be done and for "adequate and timely compensation that truly takes into account the damage that fishing communities continue to suffer."

Local communities have expressed concern over another risk to the area regarding proposed mining activities in the area and the construction of natural gas storage facilities. The "Laudato Si'" program leaders have asked Philippine government officials to reconsider these projects and to have as priorities natural conservation and the protection of indigenous peoples.

Activists demand justice for victims of the Mnidoro oil spill

Hope through solidarity

At the same time, Fides News agency reports that the disaster has resulted in some positive outcomes as the Filipino Bishops note encouraging signs of compassion and solidarity for those affected from area communities.