Massive oil spill continues affecting residents in Philippines' coastal localities
Residents on the western Philippine island of Mindoro are still affected by a massive oil spill from a sunken tanker, as government and private-sector responders scramble to determine the extent of damage to livelihoods and marine resources.
Philippines Coast Guard personnel and volunteer residents in Pola, Oriental Mindoro use absorbent pads to remove oil from rocks (Photo: philstar.com)
Hanoi (VNA) - Residents on the western Philippine island of Mindoroare still affected by a massive oil spill from a sunken tanker, asgovernment and private-sector responders scramble to determine the extent ofdamage to livelihoods and marine resources.
The Philippine government has banned fishing, the islanders'main source of income, and prevented them from entering the water since thePrincess Empress, which was carrying 800,000 litres of industrial fuel oil,encountered engine trouble and sank on February 28.
Authorities said the oil spill has reached coastal areas inat least three western Philippine provinces, affecting over 100,000 people.
Jennifer Cruz, mayor of Pola where half of the coastal townshowed traces of the oil, said the ban on fishing can remain in effect as longas the sunken vessel is out there. The government began paying residents of thetown 6 USD per day to scoop the oil and put up fence booms as the spill isbeginning to threaten mangroves.
The international community has joined hands in helping thePhilippines handle the incident. The International Tanker Owners PollutionFederation, a London-based oil spill responder that has sent a team to thePhilippines, said that a remotely operated underwater vehicle will be deployedlater this week to assess the condition of the tanker and determine exactly howmuch oil is leaking.
Japan has dispatched a team of oil disaster responders tohelp the Philippines contain the spill. On March 13, the Japanese governmenthanded over dozens of oil snares, oil blotters and protective equipment to thecountry./.
Mae Ramphueng beach in Thailand's Rayong province was declared a disaster area late last month as oil leaking from an underwater pipeline in the Gulf of Thailand continued to wash ashore and blacken the sand.
Authorities in the Philippines are exerting efforts to find and secure a sunken tanker loaded with 800,000 litres of industrial fuel oil that has started to leak into waters.
Thousands of fishermen in the Philippines have been ordered to stay ashore as authorities struggled on March 3 to contain an oil spill from a sunken tanker.
Philippine authorities said on March 10 that they had sought help from Japan and the US to contain and clean up an oil spill 10 days after a tanker sank.
Total trade between Indonesia and New Zealand in the first half of 2025 reached 963.23 million USD, an increase of 21.56% compared to 792.39 million USD in the same period last year. Of this amount, Indonesia's exports to New Zealand totaled 374.89 million USD, while imports 588.35 million USD
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Philippines Coast Guard personnel and volunteer residents in Pola, Oriental Mindoro use absorbent pads to remove oil from rocks (Photo: philstar.com) 
