The Social Science Division, College of Arts and Sciences of the University of the Philippines Visayas, one of the Coastal Cities at Risk in the Philippines Academic Partners, recently published a Social Science Brief on the Oriental Mindoro Oil Spill due to the sinking of the MT Princess Empress last February 28, 2023.
The brief provides information on the impacts of the oil spill on the coastal community, including economic, health and well-being, as well as impacts on food sources and livelihood. Also outlined in the brief are the anticipatory action, response, recovery, and rehabilitation measures that are in place. According to the report, small islands face a dilemma due to their limited assets and remoteness:
“Unlike communities in the mainland and in large islands, small island communities have fragile ecosystems with limited resources and their distance from the mainland give them limited access to much needed essential resources and services that may facilitate fast post-oil spill recovery. The destruction of marine ecosystems, which they rely on for livelihoods, leaves them with very limited to no alternative sustainable livelihoods. There is also inherent difficulty in accessing political and economic support to aid recovery due to their remoteness.”
Ms Jessica Dator-Bercilla, Co-Principal investigator of CCARPH, and Dr. Gay Defiesta, CCARPH Work Package Leader, are among the authors of the brief, along with Johnrev Guilaran, Aniceta Patricia Alingasa-Aguirre, Louie Marie Eluriaga, Bernice Vania Mamauag, Hanny John Mediodia, Cristabel Rose Parcon, Alice Prieto-Carolino, Augil Marie Robles, and Lylve Maliz Zelle.
You may read the full brief below or through this link.
Coastal Cities at Risk in the Philippines 
Dear Melanie, Thank you so much for your support! I’d like to let you know that we discussed this social science brief yesterday at the meeting of the National Panel of Technical Experts (NPTE) of the Climate Change Commission of the Philippines. CCARPH is also organizing a policy conference and briefing on water and human security later this year in Iloilo City with UPV and PEMSEA/Dr. Mimi Yap. Sharing with you our latest. Emma [image: System Dynamics Modeling for Manila Bay. Emma.png]
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