Oil spill off Bataan to affect parts of Cavite — Jonvic Remulla

Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla on Monday said the oil slick from the sunken Motor Tanker Terranova off Limay, Bataan has reached several coastal barangays in the province.

“Oil spill alert. Coastal barangays of Ternate, Maragondon, Naic, and parts of Tanza will be affected,” said Remulla in a social media post.

“Naramdaman na ng bahagya kaninang madaling araw,” he said. (The oill spill was observed slightly earlier this morning.)

Remulla said the provincial government is set to extend assistance to the affected localities.

Earlier, fishers’ group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) reported the oil spill has reached Tanza, with fisherfolk and residents observing distinctive odor in the municipality.

Pamalakaya said more than 5,000 fishers may be impacted by the oil slick and have expressed worry it may contaminate fishery resources and affect farm gate prices.

“Nangyari na ang aming kinatatakutan; ang kumalat ang langis sa kalakhan ng Manila Bay at maperwisyo ang kabuhayan ng maraming mangingisda,” said Pamalakaya Vice Chairperson Ronnel Arambulo.

(The oil spill from Manila Bay has reached Tanza, disrupting fishers’ livelihood.)

“Habang tila kibit-balikat ang Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) at mga awtoridad sa lawak ng pinsala ng oil spill, matinding pangamba na ang dinaranas ng mga mangingisda ng Manila Bay na hindi pa nga nakakabangon mula sa pananalasa ng bagyong Carina at Habagat,” Arambulo said.

(Fisherfolks are now worried as they are just starting to recover from the effects of Carina and Habagat.)

GMA Integrated News reached out to the PCG and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources for comments.

M/T Terranova

The University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UP MSI) over the weekend said the oil spill from sunken motor tanker Terranova in Bataan may reach the coasts of Bulacan and Cavite.

 On July 25, one crew member died and 16 others were rescued after MT Terranova capsized and sank 3.6 nautical miles east off Lamao Point in Limay town, the PCG said.

The PCG previously confirmed that there were leaks from the tanks carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel oil onboard the motor tanker.

According to the PCG, the nine affected tank valves have been sealed and their personnel continue to monitor the situation.

Aside from MT Terranova, another sunken ship, the MTKR Jason Bradley, carrying “diesel cargo” of an unknown quantity was found to have leaks in Bataan. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News