The Philippines is struggling with one of the biggest environmental disasters of recent years.
The tanker carrying 800,000 liters of oil sank three weeks ago. Oil leaked from the tanker spread for kilometers around the island of Mindoro.
Cleaning work has been going on for 3 weeks. The leak in the tanker could not be prevented either.
Hunting and swimming are prohibited in the region. Fishermen whose jobs are cut off participate in cleaning works for half the price of their daily earnings.
It will take years for the effects to wear off
The oil is estimated to have damaged 5,000 hectares of mangrove forests and corals.
The tanker, lying at a depth of 400 meters, was examined with a submarine vehicle remotely controlled by Japanese teams. It was determined that the tanker leaked 60 percent of the fuel it was carrying.
The US, Japan and South Korea also support the oil cleanup efforts.
It is estimated that the cleaning works will take another 6 months. It will take years for the effects of the leak to disappear completely.