Barge leaking oil towed to Mindoro

The power barge of the National Power Corp., which spilled bunker fuel after it ran aground off Semirara Island in Antique last Dec. 19, has been towed to Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro to prevent further damage to marine life in the area.

The Coast Guard’s Task Force Semirara continues to clean up the oil slick on the shores of Semirara, so far covering an estimated 600 meters.

With the help of locals, the task force has gathered 1,495 sacks of oil-coated debris.

The Coast Guard’s efforts are now concentrated on 56 hectares of mangrove plantations severely affected by the oil spill, Gosingan said.

The Coast Guard has deployed BRP Corregidor to ferry additional equipment and personnel to hasten the clean-up operation.

Under the law, Napocor is liable to pay for the cost of the cleanup.

Hundreds of Semirara fishermen are now reeling from the effects of the oil spill since their seaweed farms were destroyed.