PCG: Booster pumps to hasten MT Terranova oil siphoning 

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Thursday said that it is expecting the arrival of more booster pumps on the weekend to fast-track the siphoning of the 1.4 million industrial fuel oil from the sunken Motor Tanker (MTKR) Terranova in Bataan. 

The contracted salvor, Harbor Star, was only able to collect 42,000 liters of oil since the start of the “full blast” siphoning operations on Wednesday, but this is far from the target of 200,000 liters per day to finish it in two weeks. 

“The Harbor Star, yung salvor natin actually proposed nga itong kanilang target na 200,000 liters a day. But unfortunately, because of the booster pumps ay hinihintay po nating dumating at nag-order na rin po sila. Ito po yung mga dahilan kung bakit mas nabawasan po yung ating collection,” said PCG Bataan Station commander Lieutenant Commander Michael John Encina in a virtual presser. 

(It was the Harbor Star, our salvor, who proposed the target of 200,000 liters a day. But unfortunately, we are still awaiting the booster pumps that were ordered. This is the reason we only collected a few liters.) 

“We are hoping at the weekend po, madagdagan pa yung kanyang booster pumps para mas mapabilis at mas mapadali po, at ma-reach po yung two-weeks time po nila,” he added. 

(We are hoping at the weekend, there will be more booster pumps to hasten everything and reach the deadline within two weeks.) 

One crew member died and 16 others were rescued after MTKR Terranova capsized and sank 3.6 nautical miles east off Lamao Point in Limay town last July 25.

Bataan and several towns in Cavite have been placed under a state of calamity because of the oil spill. 

The owner of the MTKR Terranova already promised to set up claim centers in all affected areas for the compensation of those affected by the oil spill.—LDF, GMA Integrated News