ANTIQUE – Fishing activities in some islands in Caluya, Antique were suspended due to oil spill.
On Saturday, March 4, Mayor Rigil Kent G. Lim issued Executive Order No. 15 suspending all fishing activities within the vicinity of Sitio Sabang and Sitio Tambak, Semirara Island, Nagubat Island and Liwagao Island.
These islands were affected by the oil spill after motor tanker (MT) Princess Empress sank off the coast of Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, on Feb. 28, 2023.
“The contamination of marine resources following the oil spill can lead to environmental and health concerns,” he said, adding, “All fishing activities and harvesting of marine resources as food or products in the vicinity are suspended.”
Lim also advised against swimming.
On March 4, different agencies in Region 6, including the Office of Civil Defense, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Antique Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Coast Guard, the provincial government of Antique and the local government of Caluya, met via Zoom to discuss measures against the oil spill.
Semirara Island is the region’s immediate vicinity, stretching 60 to 70 nautical miles from Oriental Mindoro./PN
