“I have discussed with them the importance of identifying the gaps organizationally, functionally, legally, and policy- and practice-wise so that we can prevent another oil spill from happening again,” she said.
“Among the gaps identified in the discussion were the classification of ships and the number of permits issued for specific purposes,” said the DENR. She said that it was essential to reframe disasters, as most people tend to focus on the response aspect over prevention. “We need to prevent the risk, and that needs to be translated in the policies, in the processes, and in the technical capacities of the people that are actually implementing these laws,” she said.
The oil spill in Oriental Mindoro began months ago, on February 28, and has affected the livelihood of locals and in surrounding areas. The disaster has prompted an inter-agency task force to handle the crisis, with the Department of Justice vowing that charges will be filed against those responsible.