GMA orders prosecution of ship owners transporting hazardous chemicals

President Arroyo has ordered the prosecution of those responsible for transporting hazardous chemicals and other toxic substances into the country amid the massive cleanup of the oil spill from MT Solar I that sank off Guimaras on Aug. 11.

A barge held by the Bureau of Customs and the Philippine Coast Guard in Surigao City on suspicion it was carrying nuclear waste, turned out to be loaded with used oil, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said.

The barge Cheryl Anne, which was being pulled by the tugboat Jacob I, came from the Pacific island nation of Palau and arrived in Surigao on Aug. 23. The vessel was loaded with more than 1.6 million liters of used oil and held for several violations of maritime and marine pollution regulations.

Mrs. Arroyo ordered an investigation into the nature of the cargo of Cheryl Anne.

"As we assure the people that justice will be served, this incident should serve as a constant reminder of full cooperation among all — the government, the oil company and the other firms engaged in the transfer of oil and chemical products in terms of exacting compliance with existing rules and regulations on environmental protection," Mrs. Arroyo said.

She pointed out that she would soon certify a bill "toughening the regulation on environmental protection with regards to oil spillage" to underscore the importance of getting over the oil spill and cleaning it up and moving forward.

"We will not allow our territorial waters to become transport lanes or dumping sites for hazardous materials," Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said.

Bunye said all attempts to degrade our environment and threaten public health must be stopped.

"As we clean up the coast and coves of Guimaras with all the intensity that we can muster, we will make sure there will be no whitewash in ferreting out the truth behind the accident," President Arroyo said in her opening statement at the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) meeting in Guimaras island.

"No one culpable in this national tragedy shall walk away scot-free," she stressed.

The President had directed Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez to ensure an airtight case against those found liable for violation of the law.

Mrs. Arroyo vowed to bring back the lost glory of Guimaras and attract tourists once again.

Bunye said Task Force Guimaras had been continuously working with the Department of Tourism in mapping out programs for the full revival and transformation of Guimaras from an oil spill site to one of the major tourist spots in the country. — Aurea Calica