Mindoro oil spill has reached Antique, PCG says

The oil spill caused by the sinking of a motor tanker off Naujan, Oriental Mindoro has already reached the municipality of Caluya in Antique, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Saturday.

In a statement, the PCG said the oil spill was monitored along the shores of the following barangays in Caluya town:

• Sitio Sabang, Brgy. Tinogboc (1km)
• Liwagao Island, Brgy. Sibolo (2km)
• Sitio Tambak, Brgy. Semirara (2km)

“Sa mga oras na ito, isinasagawa na ang SHORELINE CLEAN-UP sa mga apektadong lugar,” the Coast Guard said.

(At the moment, a shoreline clean-up is being conducted in affected areas.)

MT Princess Empress was carrying 800,000 liters of industrial fuel oil when it sank due to strong waves on February 28.

The PCG said it has since placed an oil spill bloom to contain the spill and deployed divers and marine experts to help in the containment effort.

Authorities are still investigating the cause of the vessel's sinking.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources on Friday said more than 2,000 hectares of coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass can be potentially affected due to the oil spill. 

“Samantala, ayon sa LGU ng Liwagao Island, humigit-kumulang 600 residente o 150 pamilya ang apektado ng nasabing insidente,” the PCG said.

(Meanwhile, according to the LGU of Liwagao Island, more or less 600 residents or 150 families are affected by the incident.) —Ted Cordero/KG, GMA Integrated News