Isiniwalat ni Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco na umabot na sa 61 tourist sites sa bansa ang napinsala oil spill na dulot ng lumubog ng MT Princess Empress sa Naujan, Oriental Mindoro noong Pebrero 28.
Sa ginanap na National Summit ng Tourism Stakeholders sa Manila nitong Miyerkules, Marso 15, ibinahagi ni Frasco na naapektuhan na ng nasabing oil spill ang mga destinasyon sa Oriental Mindoro at kalapit-probinsya nito.
“There are 61 [tourism] sites that are affected in Oriental Mindoro, and several beach resorts that have been negatively affected,” ani Frasco.
"Scuba diving, beach, and cruise tourism depend on the region’s coastal resources, and are also its major tourism products. If unmitigated, the oil spill can have adverse impacts on three of the world-class dive destinations in the Philippines, specifically the Verde Island passage and Apo Reef in Mindoro, and Coron’s World War II Wrecks and Philippine Dugong," saad din niya sa kaniyang naunang pahayag.
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Dahil dito, magkakaloob naman umano ang Department of Tourism, sa pakikipagtulungan nito sa DENR, sa mga tourism workers na labis na naapektuhan ng nasabing oil spill.
“Our regional offices have been in very close collaboration and coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the [Philippine] Coast Guard (PCG), as well as our local government unit, and other relevant government agencies,” saad ni Frasco.
Samantala, sinabi naman ni Zeny C. Pallugna, regional director of Department of Tourism (DOT)-MIMAROPA, na bukas pa rin ang Puerto Galera na siyang "heart and soul" tourist attraction ng Oriental Mindoro.
Dagdag pa rito, maaari pa rin umanong bumisita ang mga turista sa kanilang land-based attractions.
