Experts warn oil spill may reach Cuyo Island, more areas

The oil spill from a sunken motor tanker off Najuan, Mindoro may continue to spread southwards towards Caluya Island in Antique, experts from the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI) said Monday.

According to Mariz Umali’s report on “24 Oras”, the UP MSI projected the oil spill may reach Cuyo Islands in the Sulu Sea by Tuesday and may affect larger areas by March 12.

Two coastal barangays in Palawan earlier reported sightings of oil residue — on track with the earlier report by the marine science experts.

However, they clarified that their reports were merely trajectories and that the flow of the oil spill in the next four days may change depending on the country’s wind and water conditions.

“Ang current conditions natin ay rough, rough sea conditions so mataas ang waves at medyo mabilis din yung wind velocity. So itong mga ganitong factors will increase the spread of the oil slick,” said UP MSI Associate Professor Irene Rodriguez.

(Our current conditions are rough, rough sea conditions. The waves are big, and the wind velocity is fast. These factors increase the spread of the oil slick.)

Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao meanwhile feared the spill could reach Boracay Island, but Rodriguez said the tourist destination may be spared should the current wind and sea conditions prevail.

Nevertheless, she said authorities “must act and act timely” citing the possible effects of the oil spill on the biodiversity in Verde Island Passage.

“Frankly, I don’t have words to explain the magnitude of the situation. It’s just that I can assure you that it is a very critical part of the ecosystem, and we must act and act timely,” she said.

“Since the oil will cover the surface of the water column it will lead to the immediate death of let’s say juveniles and then yung mga na-release na mga sperm and eggs ng marine organisms that are already on the surface of the water,” she added.

(Since the oil will cover the surface of the water column, it will lead to the immediate death of let’s say juveniles and then the sperms and eggs of marine organisms that are already on the surface of the water.)

Among the possible methods for clean-up are the deployment of spill booms, removal using skimmers and dispersants, manual collection of oil using cloth, and controlled burning of the oil residue on the water surface. — Sundy Mae Locus/DVM, GMA Integrated News