Oil from the MT Princess Empress, which sank with its cargo of 800,000 liters of industrial fuel on Feb. 28, has reached Calapan, the capital city of Oriental Mindoro, local officials said Friday, as conservationists pressed the national government to act more quickly. In a radio interview, Oriental Mindoro Gov. Humerlito “Bonz” Dolor confirmed reports that the oil slick from the tanker has reached Calapan City, about 500 meters from the shoreline. Dolor said the trajectory of the oil flow remained on point with simulations run by the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute. At this rate, the oil spill might get to the northern part of Mindoro and other rich marine reserves if the “amihan” or the northeast monsoon winds die down.

Dantes, C., Araja, R. N., Requejo, R. E., & Ramos-Araneta, M. (2023, March 18). Oil spill reaches Calapan City. Manila Standard, pp. A1, A2.