PCG resumes oil spill cleanup

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) yesterday resumed cleanup operations in eight villages in Rosario, Cavite affected by the oil spill caused by a leak from the submerged pipeline of Petron Corp.

Four teams composed of 25 PCG personnel have been tasked to clean up barangays Muzon 1, Muzon 2, Kanluran, Sapa 1, Sapa 2, Sapa 3, Wawa 2, and Wawa 3 of oil slick, according to PCG spokesperson Commander Armand Balilo.

Balilo said the PCG teams are being assisted by Petron personnel, local residents and members of the Philippine National Police Maritime Command.

“The cleanup involves application of organic dispersant solution in affected areas,” he added.

He said a team from the Marine Environment and Protection Command was dispatched to conduct an analysis of the oil sediments present in the area.

Last Aug. 8, some 500,000 liters of diesel spilled in the waters of Cavite and affected thousands of people living along Manila Bay’s coast.

Following Petron’s admission that its leaking underwater pipeline caused the massive oil slick, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said the PCG should determine the fines to be imposed on the oil firm.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), meanwhile, said the waters of Cavite affected by the oil spill are safe for fish survival.            

The BFAR monitoring team has found no traces of oil and dead fish in four sampling stations in Rosario and Naic towns.

Meanwhile, Senate President Franklin Drilon said yesterday that Petron’s apology regarding the oil spill should be coupled with compensation for the affected parties, particularly the fisherfolk.

Drilon said the extent of Petron’s liability would be determined by the proper authorities after the conduct of a thorough investigation into the incident.

“The concerned agencies should look at the maintenance of the pipes. If there is negligence then Petron should be made liable,” he said.

Sen. Cynthia Villar supported calls for an investigation into the oil leak to prevent a similar incident from happening again in the future.

“The DENR and BFAR should investigate the extent of the damage of the oil spill,” Villar said.

“There should be a counterpart effort from the government to ensure that oil companies are adhering to regulations. We should not let these companies do their own inspection,” she added. – With Rhodina Villanueva, Marvin Sy, Czeriza Valencia