Coast Guard cleans up Marikina River oil spill

The Philippine Coast Guard cleared yesterday the Marikina River of pollutants from a softdrink company in Antipolo City, Rizal.

This developed as the Marikina City health office said they would file appropriate charges against Coca-Cola Bottlers, Phils. upon receipt of findings on the oil spill next week.

After two days of recovery operations, Capt. Elpidie Padama, commander of the Marine Environmental Protection Command, reported that his men recovered at least 10 drums of oil spilled in the river.

Padama claimed they had an easy time scooping out the pollutants because the prevailing current of the river was minimal; thus, the spread of the oil was easily controlled.

Coast Guard investigation showed that the Coca Cola plant along Sumulong Highway in Antipolo City shut down its boiler Wednesday, causing bunker oil to flow to the drainage connected to the Marikina river.

The STAR tried but failed to reach Coca-Cola officials for comment.

The Coast Guard dispatched Thursday at least 30 personnel armed with oil containment booms and skimmers, fast tank and absorbent pads, to recover the pollutants which spilled into the river Wednesday midnight.

The oil containment boom was set up in the vicinity of the Marikina Park and the spread of pollutants was under control yesterday afternoon, Padama reported.

Padama also noted very minimal traces of oil at the Mangahan Flood Gate upriver in Pasig City. Padama told residents in the area not to be alarmed. Earlier, the local government and the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) gathered water samples to determine the toxic level of the spilled oil.

City Health Officer Angelito Lladres said they would file appropriate charges against Coca-Cola officials as soon as the results of the investigation comes in. The LLDA will also file separate charges against the softdrinks firm.