Oil spillage endangers Leyte b’gays

BAYBAY, Leyte — An oil spill from a ship that ran aground at the height of tropical depression "Milenyo" which heavily battered the region last week, is threatening several coastal communities here.

And local marine biologists fear that the oil spill, if not immediately contained, may further spread and trigger fishkills.

"This threatens our marine sanctuaries here," said marine biologist Paciencia Mila, president of the Leyte State University.

The oil spill from M/V April Rose, owned by Vicente Atilano of Rose Shipping Lines, has already spread to mangrove areas in the coastal villages of Hipusngo, Cogon, Sabang, Palhi, Sto. Rosario, Jaena, Candadam and Punta in this town’s southern part.

Authorities estimate that the vessel might have spilled 4,000 liters of fuel. Big waves prevented it from docking at the Baybay port.

The ship, the Coast Guard said, might be carrying a total of 117,000 liters of fuel.

Jorge Omolon, coordinator of the Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council, said they first detected the oil spill from the rear of the ship on the night of Aug. 13.

Mayor Jose Carlos Cari gave assurances that the problem will be addressed. "It’s not alarming," he said.

But PO1 Aspren Dagohoy, marine pollution inspector of the Coast Guard, said efforts to contain the oil spill have been put on hold because the ship owner has yet to pay the P500,000 cash bond for the spraying operation.

Since Thursday, personnel of the Marine Environmental Protection Unit of the Coast Guard’s Second District based in Cebu City, had been spraying oil dispersant chemicals around the vessel.

The ship’s skipper, Capt. Yolanda Lipio, said strong winds have been hampering their efforts. She admitted she is helpless about the continued leakage because "my crew members refused to swim around the vessel due to lack of safety diving gear."

Lt. Niel Palapar, a Coast Guard marine environmentalist, said Rose Shipping Lines has promised to bring in a salvor ship from Cebu City to help in the operations.