Olongapo resorts back in business

OLONGAPO CITY — It’s back in business for beach resort owners and hotel operators here following the intensive cleanup of an oil slick last month that contaminated the city’s coastline, adversely affected the local tourism industry and threatened marine life.

According to Carlitos Baloy, chairman of Barangay Barretto where most of the affected beach resorts are located, Subic Bay has now been restored to its pristine state prior to the oil spill.

"The waters of Subic Bay are again safe for swimming," declared Baloy, who also heads the Subic Bay Resort Association (Subra).

"Thanks to the coordinated efforts of the Olongapo City government, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and volunteer-residents in ridding the bay of the oil sludge," he added.

The incident is believed to have been caused by the deliberate dumping of used oil by a passing vessel off the coast of Grande Island last Aug. 24.

It occurred on the heels of the country’s worst-ever oil spill off Guimaras Island.

Olongapo City Mayor James Gordon Jr. quickly responded to the situation and organized a massive cleanup of the affected coastline.

"Now, the tourists are coming back. The incident taught us to be more vigilant in protecting and preserving not only the famous Subic Bay but also the other natural gems we have in our environment," said George Lorenzana, president of the Greater Subic Bay Tourism Bureau.