25T liters of oil released – CG

CEBU, Philippines - The oil spill from the sunken MV Thomas Aquinas has affected 500 hectares of the waters off Cordova town according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7.

DENR 7 Director Isabelo R. Montejo constituted a team from the Coastal Marine Management Division of the Protected Area, Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Services and the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) of Cebu City to conduct an assessment on the extent of damage on the mangrove areas in Cordova and Lapu-Lapu City.

Dr. Al O. Orolfo, PAWCZMS Regional Technical Director, said that some affected mangrove areas are enrolled in their integrated coastal resource management project.

Mangroves are salt tolerant, woody, seed-bearing plants ranging in size from small shrubs to tall trees.

DENR 7 spokesperson Ed Llamedo said they have inspected the mangrove areas in barangays Bangbang Buagsong, Day-as, Catarman, Poblacion and Alegria for assessment.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) indicated that more than 25,000 liters of oil were already released with a rate of 200 liters per hour. The passenger vessel carried more than 140,000 liters of bunker oil and diesel.

“There has to be an oil spill containment action plan to be developed by the Philippine Coastal Guard and 2GO so that we will also know the post-care programs and activities,” Montejo said.

Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Chief Supt. Danilo Constantino who conducted an aerial survey with Central Command Chief Gen. Roy Deveraturda, Gov. Hilario Davide III and Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) 7 Director Minda Morante said that as of last Sunday, 2GO management has undertaken dispersant  operation.

DENR 7 is pushing for a community-based approach in cleaning up the shorelines or coastal areas affected by the oil spill.

Montejo said services of the community should be tapped to help out in the cleaning operations.

This is to avoid severe damage to the marine ecosystem particularly on the sensitive areas in three priority barangays in Cordova, namely Gabi, Day-as and Catarman.

“These areas should be the main concern for now and we will progress with the cleanup in Buagsong and Basbas and other barangays considering that the direction of the oil spill is going northeast,” Montejo said in a statement.

Montejo also issued a memorandum yesterday to the CENRO Cebu City and the Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) to closely monitor the 1,028-hectare Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary.

Montejo added that they have to see land-based programs to be instituted by containing very safely and effectively the oil being recovered for its disposal and storage as these are considered hazardous.

Similarly, EMB-7 Regional Director William P. Cunado reported that a team collected water samples in four sites within the proximity of the accident area for oil and grease tests.

Cunado said that 36 barrels of oil or equivalent to 7,200 liters were gathered already with the assistance of Andrew Co, a treatment, storage and disposal (TSD) holder on hazardous wastes, who provided a number of empty barrels.

Alarmed over the reported oil spill Lapu-Lapu City officials agreed to conduct a massive cleanup at the city’s coastal barangays during a meeting called by Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza, department heads and barangay officials of the city.

Andy Berame, coordinator of the Lapu-Lapu City Coastal Task Force said that they agreed to initiate a clean-up drive in coordination  with the PCG and other law enforcement agencies.

Students from different public high schools in Lapu-Lapu City are also asked to join the cleanup through their respected school principals.

Divers based in Lapu-Lapu City also pledged their support.

Berame said while preparing the massive cleanup tomorrow, barangay officials already starting a cleanup operation in the respective areas.

Oil spill is spotted in the coastal barangays of Calawisan, Canjulao and other neighboring barangays.

Lapu-Lapu City Tourism Office head Hembler Mendoza said they started receiving discarded linens that will be used in the cleanup.

Department of Tourism (DOT) 7 Regional Director Wilma Montecillo will also help in getting donation of discarded linens from Bohol and Negros Oriental. —Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon, Jose P. Sollano,  Marigold P. Lebumfacil, Ria Mae Y. Booc/MBG (FREEMAN)