Transport Secretary Jaime J. Bautista on Thursday instructed the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to deploy resources preventing spilt oil from the sinking of the Philippine-flagged motor tanker Terra Nova 3.6 nautical miles east of Lamao Point, Limay, Bataan from spreading further.
PCG vice admiral Roy Echeverria, commander of the PCG Marine Environmental Protection Command, briefed Bautista of ongoing efforts to contain the oil spill, including the deployment of two 44-meter multi-role response vessels (MRRVs).
The oil tanker sank in relatively shallow waters where oil booms were immediately deployed. The PCG is closely coordinating with local government units for assistance to prevent the spread of the spilt oil.
“These vessels will start the application of oil dispersants to immediately mitigate impact, especially during the period where siphoning is being prepared,” PCG commandant admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, said.
“The PCG sets an operational target of seven days to finish siphoning the oil from the sunken tanker to stop further spread,” the Coast Guard commandant added.
PCG spokesperson and CG rear admiral Armando Balilo earlier claimed there was no public storm warning signal (PSWS) raised over Bataan when MT Terra Nova departed from Limay, Bataan, carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel oil. Hence, it did not violate rules and regulations pertinent to the movement of vessels during heavy weather.
“The vessel sank 34-meter deep, which is considerably shallow. Siphoning will not be very technical and can be done quickly to protect the vicinity waters of Bataan and Manila Bay against environmental, social, economic, financial and political impacts,” CG rear admiral said.
The PCG is working with several oil spill responders expressing the intention to assist in the ongoing spilt oil response operations. Oil companies like Petron and the PCG Auxiliary also volunteered to help.
Balilo said the PCG will ensure the operations are conducted in accordance with the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan (NOSCOP), an interagency and public-private partnership approach on combating oil spill headed by vice admiral Roy Echeverria.
