Coastal communities along oil spill path should prepare, says UP marine science experts

Experts from the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (MSI) have recommended that coastal communities affected by the oil spill from the sinking of the MT Princess off Mindoro island last February 28.

In a statement, the marine scientists - with the concurrence of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) - said the affected municipalities should be able to prepare for the possibility that the oil spill will reach the eastern and southern sides of Oriental Mindoro including Caluya Island and Cuyo island of Palawan.

"Aerial surveys by the DENR and UP MSI on the morning of March 3 (8-9AM) estimated the slick to be around 25 km long and between 300 to 500 m wide. It is roughly oriented northeast to southwest, with its tail end situated in Pola Bay," the experts said, adding that the information was confirmed by the satellite images released by the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA).

UP MSI oceanographer Dr. Cesar L. Villanoy and his team developed an oil spill trajectory model to forecast the track and the transport of the slick over the next four days (March 3-7, 2023) based on prevailing weather patterns and conditions, and on recent information on the location of the slicks.

They voiced hope that the study will help the communities and agencies prepare.

Villanoy and his team prepared three models:

Scenario 1 considers possible transport northwards towards the Verde Island Passage (VIP), making Calapan and Puerto Galera as possible affected areas.

Scenario 2 considers the continuous release of oil from the alleged seepage location, showing that most of the slick will end up in Pola Bay.

Scenario 3 considers the continuous release of oil from the suspected seepage location but was also initialized with the latest information on the location of the observed slick. This model shows the oil slick being transported southwards, which has now been confirmed to have reached the coasts of Pinamalayan and Bongabong. It also shows that some of the slick may pass through Caluya Island (Northwestern Antique) and could eventually reach Cuyo Island in Sulu Sea.

The team said the information from these models are currently used by the DENR to direct the action that will be taken on the ground.

"Images provided by PhilSA are in agreement with the model (Scenario 3) about the movement of the slick. Though agencies looked at the feasibility of deploying booms to contain surface oil within its boundaries, both the experts and the PCG aired concern that the strong waves caused by the prevailing Amihan winds might render the oil booms ineffective at containing the spill," the experts said.

The local governments located along the projected routes are being warned of the possibility of oil slick deposition along coastal areas south of Mindoro island.

The effects of the oil spill, aside from the ecological damage to habitats, will also have an impact on the local economy such as livelihood and food sources.

"The public is encouraged to report any sighting of oil slick to authorities and adhere to public guidance to prevent its harmful effects," the experts said, adding that they will run new model in the coming days. -- BAP, GMA Integrated News