MANILA, Philippines — A Catholic bishop called for the new leadership of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to seek justice for the oil spill in the Verde Island Passage (VIP), following Malacañang's announcement that Undersecretary Juan Miguel Cuna will serve as acting DENR secretary.
In a statement on Saturday, Caritas Philippines President Bishop Gerry Alminaza said the leadership change must result in moral and political responsibility over the environmental damage and loss of livelihoods the oil spill caused.
"We urge Acting Secretary Cuna to be true to the mandate of the DENR. Uphold justice, accountability, rehabilitation, and long-term protection for the VIP and the Philippines’ biodiversity as a whole,” Alminaza said.
The Verde Island Passage oil spill happened in 2023, when the tanker MT Princess Empress released 800,000 liters of industrial fuel oil off the coast of Oriental Mindoro.
Three years after the incident, Alminaza said accountability for the damage to marine biodiversity and the livelihoods of affected communities remained uncertain.