Cavite town affected by oil spill partially allows fishing

A Cavite town affected by last week's oil spill has partially allowed the resumption of fishing activities, after defining a one-kilometer hazard zone around a depot and a tanker that are being investigated as the cause of the spill.

 

Rosario town mayor Jose Ricafrente said Monday the water outside that hazard zone appeared to be clean and safe for fishing again.

 

"Ginawa namin para safety precaution, ang malapit sa barko at terminal ng depot ng Petron, nilagay muna namin ng one-kilometer parang hazard zone. Ang municipal waters natin ay 15 km naman. (Sa) one-kilometer, ang pinakamalapit talaga sa barko, sabi namin huwag muna diyan mangisda," he said in an interview on dzBB radio.

 

"Malinis ang beyond the one-kilometer hazard zone," he added.

 

As of Sunday evening, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said the oil spill had affected 35 villages in four towns in Cavite, including Rosario.

 

Earlier Sunday, the Philippine Coast Guard said the water in the affected area was beginning to clear, although further verification is needed.

 

On the other hand, Ricafrente said the water is not yet 100 percent clean as there is residue in some areas. "May kaunti pang natitira," he said.

Malacañang confirmed Sunday that there is no additional oil leak, and that fisherfolk are getting assistance.

 

Legal remedies

 

Meanwhile, Ricafrente said the town government is studying its legal remedies against those responsible for the spill.

 

The Coast Guard said it is still investigating Petron and a contractor that owns the tanker MT Makisig as the possible source of the spill.

 

"Pinag-aaralan natin bilang abogado. Maraming legal remedies na available," Ricafrente said.

 

He said their possible options include filing charges of negligence or a civil suit.

 

Meanwhile, Ricafrente appealed to the public not to be afraid of buying seafood from Rosario.

 

"Huwag kayo matakot at tangkilikin ang produktong galing Rosario," he said.

 

Coast Guard readies charges

 

A separate report by dzBB's Carlo Mateo said the Philippine Coast Guard is preparing possible charges against Petron and the owner of the MT Makisig for violating the Clean Water Act and obstruction of justice.

 

The report quoted Coast Guard environmental protection unit head Commodore Joel Garcia as saying the obstruction of justice charges stemmed from Petron's alleged refusal to let the Coast Guard get water samples last week. —KG, GMA News