Barge disasters prompt calls to shift away from fossil fuels

MANILA, Philippines — Environmental group Center for Energy, Ecology and Development (CEED) on Friday asked the government to hasten the country’s transition away from fossil fuels and to strengthen measures to protect marine and coastal environments from pollution, after Severe Tropical Storm Kristine triggered two coal barge spills in Sorsogon and Zambales.

CEED executive director Gerry Arances noted that the coal barge that overturned in Sorsogon during the onslaught of Kristine has resulted in significant environmental damage, including fish kills and the destruction of marine ecosystems and livelihoods.

Arances added that the coastal community in Brgy. Bucalbucalan in Sorsogon City raised the alarm over the darkening of the coast due to the alleged soaking of the barge’s coal.

“After hundreds of thousands of liters of oil spilled in the Verde Island Passage last year and in Manila Bay earlier this year, we’re now seeing these disastrous coal barge accidents. All of them came about from severe weather events. They are a terrible yet stark reminder that fossil fuel projects are dirty, deadly and costly in more ways than one – triggering worse climate disasters and directly polluting the environments and communities that host them,” he said.

In Zambales, another incident has local fisherfolk fearing that marine life and their livelihoods would be severely affected, after a barge carrying 11,000 metric tons of coal ran aground at Masinloc-Oyon Bay.

Arances said the Masinloc barge incident poses serious threats to Central Luzon’s first marine protected area, regarded as one of the country’s most important locations for marine biodiversity.

“Coal and other fossil fuels are not only a major contributor to climate change, they also pose significant threats to our communities and environment,” he added.

Arances criticized Senate President Francis Escudero, who backed the lifting of the coal moratorium in the country, saying it is cheaper than renewable energy.

He said the government should put the welfare of Filipinos, and focus on long-term sustainability goals, first.

“Renewable energy is not only more economical and reliable than coal, but it also represents a necessary step toward a sustainable future. Misleading claims supporting coal distract us from the urgent need for cleaner, more responsible energy solutions,” Arances said.

He said the government must prioritize the implementation of more stringent protection for the ecosystems that sustain many Filipinos.

“Increasing restrictions against toxic pollution and ensuring that fisherfolk and coastal communities are empowered to be at the forefront of managing and protecting their marine and coastal environments should be the way forward,” Arances said.