The fuel oil that spilled from motor tanker MT Terranova has reached the coastline of Cavite, prompting the provincial government to declare a state of calamity on Wednesday, July 31, 2024.
The spill has affected the following areas:
- Bacoor,
- Kawit,
- Noveleta,
- Rosario,
- Tanza,
- Naic,
- Maragondon; and,
- Ternate.
Governor Jonvic Remulla announced on Facebook the immediate implementation of a no-catch zone for all shellfish, including mussels, crabs, and clams, to prevent contamination and health risks.
In response to the crisis, the Cavite government is organizing the swift distribution of relief goods to assist the 25,000 fisherfolk affected by the spill.
Emergency work is set to begin immediately to mitigate the impact and support the affected communities.
On July 25, 2024, the motor tanker capsized at Lamao Point as it was transporting 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel oil to Iloilo.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has installed an improvised oil spill boom to contain the spill.
The PCG clarified that the spill originated from the fuel oil in the vessel, not the oil stored in tanks. This means the spill volume is less than the 1.4 million liters.
BATANGAS
Meanwhile, Batangas has formed an Incident Management Team (IMT) to monitor the oil spill, which can potentially reach its waters.
The team is composed of personnel from the Batangas Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), municipal and city MDRRM officers, PNP, PCG, BFP, and private stakeholders.
"‘Yung spill boom sana nailagay kaagad natin, kaya nga lang hindi naman po ‘yun nasa sa ating part, I know for sure that the Coast Guard knew what they have to do during the time of the oil spill," Dr. Amor Calayan, head of Batangas PDRRMO, said.
"Kaya lang kumakalat na ngayon and we are now in the process of preparing. We are now preparing for the possible contamination sa karagatan po ng Batangas Province," Calayan added.
Although the oil spill hasn't reached Batangas waters yet, as of this writing, the PCG Batangas decided to form the IMT to ensure the safety and security of Batangas' coastlines.
(with reports from Vincent John Abordo and Denise Abante, GMA Regional TV Balitang Southern Tagalog)
