The leaking oil tanker MT Princess Empress that sank in the Philippines last week has coated shorelines, endangered marine ecosystems, and caused health issues among residents in Pola, Oriental Mindoro. The vessel was carrying 800,000 litres of industrial fuel oil.

This drone footage, filmed on March 7, shows the water covered in oil at the famous white sand beach of Buhay na Tubig.

The oil spill from the submerged tanker off Najuan has affected the livelihood of the residents in Pola, Oriental Mindoro. Apart from the temporary suspension of fishing activities in the province, the tourism industry in the town also saw a decline after the oil spill reached some of their beaches.

Joel Pantilanan, a resident of Pola and member of Bantay Dagat showed the oil spill that they collected, 'this is the oil that we collected together with the Philippine Coast Guard, it's dripping.'

'We have a whitesand beach but due to the oil spill, the black oil tainted the beauty of our beach,' Mr. Pantilanan added.

With the sinking of MT Princess Empress which was carrying 800,000 liters of oil, scientists said around 20,000 hectares of coral reefs, 9,900 hectares of mangroves, and 6,000 hectares of seagrass may be affected by the oil slick.