License of barge that leaked sulphuric acid revoked

Calling the weekend leakage of sulphuric acid into the sea as "an environmental tragedy," Environment Secretary Angelo Reyes yesterday revoked the license of the 150-ton Billy Star, the barge that sank off Batangas Bay last Saturday.

At the same time, Reyes ordered the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) and Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) to determine the extent of the damage wrought by the vessel, which transports hazardous wastes.

"I am revoking the permit of Billy Star to operate and likewise compelling the owner of the barge to clean up the affected areas," the DENR chief said.

The barge was reported to have been undergoing repairs at the Keppel shipyard in Barangay San Miguel, Bauan, Batangas when the accident occured.

The bottom hull of the barge, owned by Grand Asian Shipping Inc., is believed to be corroded causing the barge to sink at the Keppel dry dock and spilling some 1, 270 tons of sulphuric acid into the waters.

According to Reyes, the area where the toxic spill occurred is among the country’s foremost natural heritage sites. He instructed the PAWB to link up with other experts and government agencies, including concerned local executives in the conduct of its environmental assessments.

"All owners of land, sea, or air-based transport services (should) set up a mechanism to prevent environmental mishaps," Reyes said.