Oriental Mindoro oil spill could affect 21 marine protected areas — DENR
MANILA, Philippines (Updated, 5:50 p.m.) — The oil spill caused by a sunken tanker in Oriental Mindoro could affect 21 marine protected areas, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said as it formed a task force to address the situation.
Authorities are rushing to contain an oil spill from MT Princess Empress, which sank off the coast of Oriental Mindoro. The vessel was carrying 800,000 liters of industrial fuel.
The Philippine Coast Guard on Thursday said that industrial fuel oil from the vessel’s cargo has leaked into the sea after initially reporting that the spillage was diesel fuel.
Environmental advocates and locals fear the oil spill could threaten the already fragile Verde Island Passage (VIP)—considered by scientists as the center of the center of marine biodiversity in the world—and the livelihoods of people who depend on the marine corridor. Oriental Mindoro is one of the five provinces surrounding VIP.
According to a report of the DENR’s Biodiversity Management Bureau, the oil spill that stretches several kilometers could impact 21 locally-managed protected areas (LMMPAs). Potential risk areas including seagrass beds, mangroves, and dispersion pathways for spawned fish larvae have been mapped.
The Philippine Coast Guard—the lead agency tasked with response operations in the affected area—will install spill booms to protect LMMPAs.
The agency also formed a task force to address the situation and carried out water sampling in the towns of Naujan, Pola, and Pinamalayan.
Clean up
In a video message sent to reporters, Environment Secretary Toni Yulo-Loyzaga said the oil spill has reached the municipal shores of Pola, Pinamalayan, Gloria, and Bongabong in Oriental Mindoro.
"The spill appears to be flowing southwards toward the southern part of Oriental Mindoro," Yulo-Loyzaga said.
She added that the agency’s personnel are now focusing on coastal clean-up as possible contamination could affect the viability of coastal and marine ecosystems in the area.
"At this point, what is important is that we determine the extent and contain the spread of the oil, and hasten the clean up to prevent further impacts on coastal and marine biodiversity as well as the livelihoods of coastal communities," she also said.
The task force, in cooperation with the PCG and the Philippine Air Force, will conduct an aerial surveillance in the coming days to further assess the situation.
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