POLA Mayor Jennifer Cruz said that the oil spill in Mindoro has affected students whose parents lost their livelihood.

“Malaking problema po kasi ‘pag walang pera ‘yung magulang, hindi [sila] makapasok sa school [dahil] walang pamasahe, walang pambiling pagkain,” Cruz said.

“Nagkasakit ‘yung mga magulang, dinala sa health center… domino effect talaga, walang hanapbuhay, so hindi makapasok,” she added.

Cruz said they appealed to the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education to provide these affected children alternative ways to continue learning.

“Kailangan bigyan sila ng alternative na pag-aaralan para hindi sila mahuli sa ibang kaklase nila. Siyempre pagpasok nila baka i-bully sila kasi hindi nila alam ang pinag-aralan sa school,” the mayor said.

The oil spill left fishermen without employment for weeks.