MT Solar I oil spill: Social and economic consequences in Nueva Valencia, Guimaras, Philippines

Abstract

This study was conducted to primarily determine the social and economic consequences of the MT Solar 1 oil spill in Nueva Valencia, Guimaras. This is a purely descriptive research that utilized a one-shot survey design. Three hundred nine (309) randomly selected household heads served as study respondents. Results revealed that the majority of the respondents were males, Roman Catholics, and fisher folks. They were in their middle ages with either elementary or high school level of education. Their average household size was 4.73. Results also showed that after the oil spill, there was a significant increase in the proportion of respondents who reported an increase of incidence of the top three illnesses, namely: difficulty in breathing, skin itchiness, and dizziness. Results of the study further revealed that the personal recreational activities of the respondents were affected by the oil spill but community recreational activities were not. There was a significant decrease in community cooperation and a significant increase in community conflict after the oil spill. Before the oil spill, fishing and related activities were the main sources of income of a big majority of the household heads. Their mean monthly income was Php 9,661.41. After the oil spill, almost half of the respondents had no main source of income and their mean monthly income significantly dropped to Php 2,602.51. The perceived serious personal, family, and community problems of the community, as well as their needs, were all economic in nature (financial, livelihood and food).