Ilocos shorelines free of oil sludge by Holy Week

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines –The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has assured residents and beachgoers that the shorelines of the Ilocos region would be oil sludge-free before the Holy Week. 

“What can be seen are mere oil spots and stains on rocks and corals,” said Capt. Pablo Gonzales Jr., PCG commander for northwestern Luzon.

Gonzales said volunteers as well as personnel from both government and non-government organizations are working together to remove the oil sludge along the shorelines of La Union to Ilocos Norte.

He said affected villagers also teamed up with personnel of the Office of Civil Defense and police and naval forces in Ilocos and concerned local government units in the massive cleanup.

The oil spill was blamed on a Myanmar vessel that sank off  Bolinao town in Pangasinan last Feb. 17.

It has affected the coastal villages of Narvacan and Santiago towns in Ilocos Sur and Paoay, Ilocos Norte.