BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
AKLAN – Mayor Jessica Panambo of New Washington town in this province has assured that the recent oil spill in Lagatik River in the town’s Barangay Polo is now under control.
Panambo, in her official Facebook page, said that a joint ocular inspection was conducted by the local government unit (LGU) of New Washington, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO), Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO), New Washington police, and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
Initial results of the inspection showed that the leaked lube oil has been successfully contained.
With the assistance of the PCG, the Metallica Shipyard – where the leak originated – was conducting siphoning operations to remove the remaining oil, the mayor said.
“I urge our fisherfolk and oyster growers in the affected area not to worry. The initial results of our inspection show that the oil spill has been contained and siphoning operations are ongoing, performed by the shipyard company with the help of the Philippine Coast Guard,” Panambo added.
The New Washington LGU led by MENRO continued to closely monitor the situation to ensure the safety and welfare of the local community and environment as of this writing,.
Also, as of 2 p.m. yesterday, the Task Force Oil Spill reported that no sign of oil spill was detected in sitios Tubungan, Kuntang and Kamingawan in Barangay Polo.
The taskforce added that 15 Coast Guard personnel and 115 volunteer workers were deployed in the affected area, while the Coast Guard Sub-station Boracay provided additional five segment of spill boom./PN
