Oil spill from Myanmar ship probed

BOLINAO, Pangasinan, Philippines – Local government officials in this town said they will take necessary steps to address whatever damage an oil spill might cause their fishing industry after a Myanmar ship sank 14 nautical miles from the coast here Sunday.

Mayor Alfonso Celeste told The STAR yesterday that he had discussed the problem with an officer of a fishers’ association in Bolinao, who told him that the oil spill is moving northward. He said he is also coordinating with other agencies.

Celeste was informed that there was no immediate negative effect yet but he said they would continue to monitor and coordinate with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

He said there were hundreds of payaw, fish sanctuaries of bamboo poles that attract bigger fish, in the area where MV Arita Bauxite sank.

A payaw, which costs about P70,000, is harvested after a month.

Celeste said he is leaving it up to the PCG to assess the damage.

One person was reported dead, seven were rescued alive, two were injured and 14 others remain missing when the Burmese vessel capsized near Bolinao Sunday night.