PSALM offers P2M to Estancia families after oil spill

MANILA, Philippines – The Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM) said in a statement Wednesday, November 27 that it offered financial assistance to families affected by an oil spill in Iloilo.

The state-owned firm donated more than P2 million to the families of Estancia affected by the oil spill from Power Barge 103.

Iloilo’s provincial government received P1.5 million for the benefit of the families, while another P500,000 was donated to the municipal government, led by Mayor Rene Cordero. PSALM will also provide mats, pillows, and blankets for those affected.

PSALM previously donated P50,000 to Estancia’s municipal government for the benefit of 30 families near where Power Barge 103 ran aground.

The barge, owned by PSALM and operated by the National Power Corporation (Napocor), ran aground and caused an oil spill due to Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

Air pollution from the oil spill has reached critical levels, with the Department of Health recommending urgent evacuation procedures for the more than 4,000 residents in the area.

PSALM awarded Kuan Yu Global Technologies Inc. an P87.21 million contract for the cleanup operations. The cleanup team will siphon and transfer usable oil from the barge to barges 101 and 102, then refloat and tow barge 103 to a dry dock.

Kuan Yu Global Technologies will also contain the spill and clean up the affected shoreline, disposing of and treating waste oil and debris. – Rappler.com