ILOILO – Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. directed all coastal-local government units (LGUs) to monitor their respective waters for any signs of oil spill.
Acting provincial administrator, Atty. Dennis Ventilacion, said it is better to be prepared.
“Ginkasa na ang protocol, waay man naton ginapangamuyo, pero just in case magkadto sa aton ready na kita,” said Ventilacion.
Mayors were ordered to immediately report to concerned agencies any sightings of an oil spill.
“Nagalaum kita nga ang pag-ilig sang oil spill indi pakadto sa aton. Ti, siempre wala man kita pierdihon kon magpreparar kita,” said Ventilacion.
On Tuesday, March 7, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council had a meeting to discuss preemptive measures.
An inventory of personnel and equipment was conducted by partner government agencies including the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Office of the Civil Defense, and Philippine National Police, among others.
On Wednesday, four areas in Caluya, Antique remain affected:
* Sitio Sabang, Barangay Tinogboc – four kilometers of coastline affected with an estimated 8,000 liters of oil sludge
* Sitio Liwagao, Barangay Sibolo – two kilometers of coastline affected with an estimated 8,000 liters of oil sludge
* Barangay Semirara – two kilometers of coastline affected by an estimated 400 liters of oil sludge
* Barangay Alegria – minimal oil spill
Lieutenant Commander Jansen Benjamin, PCG-Western Visayas spokesperson, said they have not monitored any new oil spill.
“As per assessment ng ating team doon, there’s no more new (affected areas). Wala pong bagong mga oil na nag-land sa area. Ibig sabihin wala pong bagong langis na dumating,” Benjamin said.
He added this could be because the leakage in the sunken MT Princess Empress in Oriental Mindoro has stopped. The PCG, however, remains vigilant; the vessel is still submerged.
“As long as may makita kita nga naga-itom sa dagat and sa sand sa mga areas nga affected, we would still continue to clean. We cannot say therefore kon how long,” said Benjamin.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has to conduct water sampling to ensure the affected areas are oil spill-free./PN
