Greenpeace vessel visits Cebu

Greenpeace vessel, M.V. Esperanza, is in Cebu for its last stop before it will leave the country as part of its "Defending our Oceans" expedition.

Before coming to Cebu, the vessel visited Guimaras and helped the Philippine Coast Guard and other organizations in cleaning the island-province and other parts of the Visayas that were affected by the oil slick brought about by the sinking of MV Solar I in the seawaters off Guimaras.

Scientists onboard Esperanza claimed their early response to the oil spill in Guimaras has been crucial in helping focus the world's attention on the massive environmental catastrophe.

Janet Cotter, of the science unit of Greenpeace, said that the oil spill has done a lot of damage to Guimaras' marine resources that would take decades to rehabilitate.

She said that aside from helping in the cleanup, they also do information and fund raising campaign to help the affected residents and for the immediate cleanup of the affected areas. The group, she said, is focused on preserving marine reserves like the Taclong Marine Reserve.

Aside from Taclong, Cotter said that three other marine reserves in Guimaras were affected, adding that coral reefs, seagrasses and mangroves are covered by slick.

Greenpeace has also talked with officials of Siliman University and University of the Visayas for a study on how to solve the problem and to work for the protection and rehabilitation of the marine reserves that were devastated by the oil slick.

M.V. Esperanza, which means "hope" in Spanish, arrived at the Manila South Harbor on August 15 and headed for Donsol and Apo, Rapu Rapu and Guimaras islands, and finally Cebu as part of its global "Defending our Oceans" expedition. It will leave Cebu on September 3 and will head for Hawaii.

For her part, lawyer Rose-Liza Osorio said that in Cebu, the Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation, Greenpeace's partner in advocacy, is also working for the protection and preservation of 40 marine sanctuaries, most of which are found in the south of Cebu.

Osorio said that they are building local stewards and promoting observation of fishing awareness. She added that it is fortunate that local government units are becoming more supportive and responsible for the protection of marine sanctuaries.

Meanwhile, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered the PCG to identify sea-lanes for vessels carrying oil and other hazardous chemicals to keep them away from "ecologically sensitive areas."

Department of Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano, who was tasked by the President to supervise the development of the Central Philippines supra region, said the President issued the order to the PCG during the second National Disaster Coordinating Council meeting which she presided last week in Guimaras.

Durano said the PCG would present its report to the President in the next NDCC meeting on September 6 also in Guimaras.

Arroyo is expected to issue an executive order identifying the sea-lanes and other measures that would avert another sea disaster such as the oil spill, said Durano.

In a similar development, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. called for its member-companies to extend help in the rehabilitation of Guimaras.

The CCCI will conduct the "Help Guimaras Drive" to seek for assistance for the ongoing cleanup operations in Guimaras and other areas in Negros Occidental and Iloilo that were affected by the oil slick. - Wenna A. Berondo and Gregg M. Rubio/LPM