The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Monday said it has activated programs to assist other agencies in containing the oil spill from the sunken M/T Terra Nova off the coast of Limay, Bataan.
In a statement, Environment Secretary Maria Antonio Yulo-Loyzaga said a survey of the site of the sunken vessel has already been completed as weather conditions improved last week.
Yulo-Loyzaga said the DENR, particularly its Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), has implemented necessary measures to determine the extent of the oil spill's effects.
“Ang EMB po ang in charge dito sa water quality at air quality po namin, natin lahat, in terms of interpreting kung ano ba talaga ang nangyayari dito sa water bodies sa near shore at sa onshore po natin at ‘yung air quality po kung maayos pa po or may contamination na po because of the evaporation ng langis (The EMB is in charge of testing the water quality and air quality, in terms of interpreting what really happened at the bodies of water in the near shore and onshore and of course, whether the air quality is safe or there was contamination because of the evaporation of the oil),” she said.
Yulo-Loyzaga said the DENR has also activated "hazardous transport companies" and laboratories, as well as procedures for waste treatment.
“Nandito rin po kami upang mag-support sa pag create ng mga tinatawag nating natural spill booms. So ang mga tumulong po sa atin during Mindoro oil spill ay nandito na po sa Pampanga at ready na po sila mag-train at ang mga makina nila po ay nandito na (We are also here to support the creation of what we call natural spill booms. So those who helped us during the Mindoro oil spill are here in Pampanga and they are ready to train and their machines are also here)," she said.
Yulo-Loyzaga said the agency is also keeping a close watch on the effects of the disaster on ecosystems.
“Ang mangroves natin, ang areas for fisheries, ang fish ponds, ang mga seafood growing areas na sana po hindi po sila madadamay dito sa oil spill na ito. Kaya po ang isa po sa inatas sa amin ni President (Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.) at kay (Secretary of Interior and Local Government) Benhur (Abalos), at kay (Social Welfare) Secretary Rex (Gatchalian), at sa mga governors po, abangan po sana natin na hindi po sana dumating ang langis po onshore or nearshore para po di madadamay ang mga food sources natin at mga sources of livelihood (Our mangroves areas for fisheries, fish ponds and seafood growing areas, we hope these would be spared from his oil spills. One of the President's orders to me, Secretary Abalos and Secretary Gatchalian is to make sure that oil spill does not reach the onshore or nearshore so that our food sources and sources of livelihood will not be affected)," she added.
Yulo-Loyzaga also reported that they are also working closely with the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UPMSI), the Philippine Space Agency and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.
DILG: Nat'l gov't ready to help
In a meeting at the National Economic and Development Authority regional office in San Fernando City, Pampanga, Abalos said the national government will provide help to local government units that might be affected by the oil spill.
“I have talked to the President. Let's not be worried too much. He said the reports should continue every day and rest assured the national government will help. That is his message,” he said.
Abalos also said the government's task force would be coordinated with Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito Dolor to get inputs on his province’s successful response to an oil spill last year.
“The local officials of the cities of Las Piñas, Parañaque, Pasay, Navotas, Manila and officials of the province of Cavite are here. This is for the possibility of their coastal areas being hit by the oil spill and just in case, we are ready for that. The mayors of Bulacan, Bataan and Pampanga, especially those in coastal areas, listen so you will have an idea on the extent of the oil spill, the scenarios that can happen and how can we respond," Abalos said in Filipino.
The Chief Executive earlier ordered the creation of an inter-agency task force led by the Office of the Civil Defense to quickly address the possible impact of the oil spill.
Marcos ordered the DENR, in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH), to conduct the necessary water and air quality tests, while the DOH was ordered to check on the health and medical condition of residents.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will evaluate the condition of the sunken motor tanker while the DILG will coordinate with the local government units (LGUs) for response.
Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment will implement livelihood programs for affected residents while the Department of Social Welfare and Development was instructed to provide aid.
On Monday, the PCG resumed sealing the nine leaking valves of the tanks that contain the industrial fuel oil onboard the sunken motor tanker.
The PCG said the siphoning of the industrial fuel oil from the vessel will start once the sealing of these leaking valves has been completed.
Meanwhile, members of the PCG Auxiliary made an improvised oil spill boom made of coconut husks to help contain the oil spill.
The vessel was en route to Iloilo province carrying 1.4 million liters (370,000 gallons) of industrial fuel when it sank off Lamao Point amid bad weather on July 25. (PNA)
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