ILOILO City – The owner of the sunken oil tanker that caused the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro and has reached Antique is liable, according to Aklan Second District’s Rep. Teodorico Haresco Jr.
He said RDC Reield Marine Services, owner of the sunken MT Princess Empress, is liable for over P330 million worth of damages under 1992 International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage (1992 CLC) should they fail to comply.
“Beyond cleanups, we must make an effort to make MT Princess Empress and its owner, RDC Reield Marine Services, accountable for damaging our tourism industries and marine resources and to the affected communities whose health and livelihood are heavily compromised,” Haresco said.
He further noted the vessel owner is also liable under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, and the International Safety Management Code.
The solon also recommended the insurance company of MT Princess Empress be pursued by the Insurance Commission.
MT Princess Empress was carrying around 800,000 liters of industrial fuel en route to Iloilo from Batangas when it sank off the coast of Naujan, Oriental Mindoro on Feb. 28.
The oil spill has reached the seawaters of Caluya, Antique.
Haresco, who expressed worries on the environmental impact of the oil spill and his province might also be affected, filed House Resolution (HR) No. 842 seeking to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation on the oil spill as well as the extent of damage.
Aklan is home to the world-famous Boracay Island.
The Department of Tourism Region 6 earlier recommended all tourists on the island, especially in Barangay Yapak, to take precautionary measures and to provide updates if there are sightings of or indicator that the oil spill has reached the area.
On the other hand, RDC Reield Marine Services has apologized for the oil spill.
“We are truly sorry that this incident has affected the livelihood of those living in the impacted areas and the spill’s effect on the environment,” the company’s statement released on Sunday read.
“We are committed to doing everything possible to minimize the ongoing impact on the environment and people’s lives and clean up the spill,” it said.
It added it is in contact with its insurance firm about possibly providing compensation to affected residents./PN
