Oil spill from Iloilo reaches Guimaras

The oil spill that occurred off the waters of Lapuz, Iloilo City last week has reached the province of Guimaras, according to a report by Rgil Relator of GMA Regional TV-One Mindanao on GMA News' Unang Balita on Tuesday.

Twenty barangays in the municipality of Buenavista in Guimaras were affected.

The oil spill also reached the municipality of Jordan in the province.

Barangay personnel made an improvised spill boom to help contain the oil spill. 

A total of 196,000 liters out of the 268,000 liters of bunker fuel that spilled in the Iloilo-Guimaras Strait have so far been recovered by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

The Department of Health - Region VI meanwhile warned residents of coastal barangays of the possible effects of the oil spill on their health.

More than 400 residents of Lapuz, Iloilo have been evacuated.

Fishermen meanwhile expressed concern about the oil spill's effects on their livelihood.

Ayala-led AC Energy Philippines Inc. said initial investigation showed the oil spill was caused by a rupture in their barge's fuel tank.

The company said its power barge 102 discharged fuel oil at around 3:00 p.m. last Friday, July 3.

"The Company immediately activated containment protocols through containment booms but due to strong ocean waves, some of the fuel oil escaped the confinement area," it added.

AC Energy said the leakage was contained at around 10:00 p.m. the same day, after 170 combined personnel of the company the Coast Guard were deployed.

"After containment, the Company and the Coast Guard immediately started recovery of the remaining floating residue," it said.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources said it will impose fines on the barge owner.

The PCG on the other hand said raps will be filed if warranted. —KG, GMA News