The Police Regional Office Mimaropa has donated P1,250,624 to help poor families affected by the oil spill in Pola, Oriental Mindoro.

Regional Director Police Brigadier General Joel Bargamento Doria said the funds were voluntarily contributed by the personnel and all Philippine National Police (PNP) units in the region.

In a ceremony held at the New Municipal Building in Brgy. Bayanan, Pola, Acting Chief of Regional Staff Police Colonel Nathaniel G Villegas, handed over the donated cash assistance to Pola Mayor Jennifer Cruz.

“Nais ko pong pasalamatan ang buong pwersa ng kapulisan dito sa Mimaropa na nagpaabot ng kanilang tulong pinansyal upang maisakatuparan ang ating layunin na matulungan ang ating mga kababayan na labis na naapektuhan ng oil spill dito sa lalawigan ng Oriental Mindoro higit lalo ang bayan ng Pola,” Doria said in a message read by Villegas.

Doria also assured the affected families that the PNP, particularly PRO Mimaropa, would support them in maintaining order and responding to the challenge of unity and cooperation.

“Makakaasa din po ang ating mga kababayan na ang PNP, lalo ang PRO Mimaropa, ay kaisa ng bawat pamilya na naapektuhan ng oil spill sa pagpapanatili ng kaayusan at pagtugon sa hamon ng pagkakaisa at pagtutulungan,” he added.

The event was also attended by Pola Vice-Mayor Marvin T. Rivera, Pola ABC President Leandro P. Panganiban III, and Chief of Regional Community Affairs and Development Division Police Colonel Roel L Lami-ing.

The oil spill incident in Oriental Mindoro severely impacted the municipality of Pola, affecting 11 barangays, 4,839 families, 24,195 individuals, and seven marine protected areas.