Immediate Socioeconomic Impacts of Mindoro Oil Spill on Fisherfolk of Naujan, Philippines

Casper Agaton, Charmaine Samala Guno, Russel Añonuevo Labog and Angelie Azcuna Collera
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Charmaine Samala Guno: College of Teacher Education, Mindoro State University, Calapan City 5200, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines
Russel Añonuevo Labog: College of Teacher Education, Mindoro State University, Calapan City 5200, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines
Angelie Azcuna Collera: Center for Human Development, University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines, Cagayan de Oro 9000, Misamis Oriental, Philippines

Resources, 2023, vol. 12, issue 9, 1-17

Abstract: In February 2023, an oil tanker carrying 5660 bbl of industrial fuel oil sank off Naujan in the Philippines, causing an oil spill in the waters of Oriental Mindoro and nearby provinces. The disaster affected fishing communities as well as marine ecosystems including the Verde Island Passage, which is at the “center of the world’s marine biodiversity”. This study assessed the immediate social and economic impacts of this oil spill on various communities of the Naujan coast. We conducted semi-structured interviews and employed a narrative analysis to explore the lived experiences of fisherfolk after the oil spill and to understand the socioeconomic impacts. With the prohibition of fishing and other aquatic activities, the participants lost up to USD 1300 of income per week from fishing. The participants had no other source of income due to the lack of other skills or an opportunity for an alternative livelihood in the community. While the government provided food packs and financial assistance, the participants found these insufficient to sustain their basic family needs including food, utilities, education, and health. Traces of oil were also found in the sources of potable water affecting their daily household activities. The fisherfolk, who live in communities that are vulnerable to natural and human-made hazards, had their subsistence, food security, and human well-being highly compromised. The findings provided recommendations for government interventions to mitigate the impacts of an oil spill and other future disasters, considering social, economic, and human ecological perspectives.

Keywords: resource management; water resources; socioeconomic impacts; fisherfolk; oil spill (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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