PCG collects 6,803 liters of oily water mixture from Oriental Mindoro oil spill

Some 6,803 liters of oily water mixture and 65 sacks of oil-contaminated materials have been collected during the Philippine Coast Guard's offshore response operations for the Oriental Mindoro oil spill.

From March 1 to 20, the PCG also collected 2,353 sacks and 22 drums of waste in the shoreline of 13 affected barangays in Naujan, Bulalacao, and Pola in Oriental Mindoro.

Meanwhile, in a radio interview, PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo said there are no more traces of oil spill in Isla Verde in Batangas City after they conducted an offshore aerial surveillance in the area.

The PCG earlier confirmed that the oil spill has already reached the island's shoreline.

“Tayo ay magmo-monitor nang masusi dito. May mga oil spill boom. Naglagay na ng contingency sa area, maraming tauhan para kung sakaling may traces ay kaagad na makakilos tayo,” Balilo said.

(We will monitor this closely. Oil spill booms are available. We will place a contingency in the area with many personnel so in case a trace of spoil was observed we can respond immediately.)

According to Balilo, the survey of the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) from Japan on the sunken MT Princess Empress will determine their next actions to address the oil spill.

MT Princess Empress was carrying industrial fuel oil when it sank due to strong waves on February 28. All 20 people on board were rescued.

According to the PCG, the motor tanker sank 400 meters into the ocean, which was too deep for divers to reach. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA Integrated News