BATAAN OIL SPILL, PCG TO CONTAIN POSSIBLE EXTENT OF OIL

On Thursday, oil was spilled and spread off the coast of Limay, Bataan from the sunken Motor Tanker Terra Nova. According to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) they are collecting the oil and is preparing for a worst case scenario.

PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo stated, “Based on the study of our Marine Environmental Protection personnel, considering that the ship sank 34 meters, the siphoning can be completed within seven days.”

If MT Terra Nova leak, the oil spill could reach all the way to the nation’s capital and surrounding areas (Photo courtesy of PCG/Philippine Star)

He added that the oil spill is not from its 1.4 million liters industrial fuel cargo but from the engine of the sunken Motor Tanker. 

“There is no leak yet from the industrial fuel cargo tanks, but Admiral Gavan already gave an instruction that we should prepare for the worst scenario so we coordinated with local government units and we are preparing in case this leaks so we can properly respond.”

“We are utilizing our manpower, mobilizing our resources, consulting with experts, and collaborating with LGUs and other stakeholders to avoid a marine environment catastrophe,” Balilo said.

Meanwhile, the local government of Bataan has temporarily ban fishing in two villages. Based on the wind direction and sea currents, oil spill's trajectory may reach the coast of Manila, Navotas, Bulacan and Pampanga.

Balilo also said that divers from the coast guard and a private contractor will conduct diving operations to determine the position of the ship and to check if there is a leak, and will start the siphoning tomorrow if possible. 

PAMALAKAYA fisherfolk group expressed that, “Fisherfolk across Manila Bay are already enduring numerous environmental crises such as the adverse effects of reclamation and dredging, and the recent onslaught of Typhoon Carina and Habagat. We can’t afford another ecological disaster if this oil spill escalates across our fishing grounds.”

Furthermore, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr held an aerial inspection to check the damage caused by super typhoon Carina as well as the extent of the oil spill from sunken ship. Based on the Philippine Space Agency's map, the possible oil spill may reach an area of around 14.4 square kilometers.

Source: Philippine News Agency

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