Oil spill will not reach Boracay waters — Coast Guard

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has dismissed reports that the massive oil spill off the Semirara coast in Antique could threaten the waters of the world famous Boracay beach.

"(In) my expert opinion, no (oil spill could reach Boracay). It was (already) trapped in the coves with mangroves," Cmdr. Allen Toribio, deputy commander of the PCG’s Marine Environmental Protection Command, the government agency tasked to perform the oil spill cleanup operation, said in a text message sent to The STAR.

Environmentalists have raised the alarm that the heavy crude oil spilled from the barge of National Power Corp. last December could contaminate Boracay waters unless the cleanup at Semirara, which is only 10 kilometers away from the island resort, is fasttracked.

Toribio estimated that it would take six months up to a year to remove the thousands of liters of bunker oil.

Napocor, which is tasked by law to pay for the cost of cleanup, has been reportedly employing Semirara residents to clean the oil spill using crude and primitive tools. Local residents are also reportedly facing great health risks due to inadequate protective gear while manually gathering the oil seepage. Prolonged exposure to bunker oil causes skin and respiratory ailments, according to health experts.

The STAR learned that at least three maritime companies with extensive expertise and engaged in high-tech oil spill cleanup operations have offered their services.

Safety Phil. Inc., Vette Industrial Corp. and Eastern Gulf Marine (Unitor) have expressed willingness to assist the government in cleaning up the affected areas in Semirara. Until last month, the Coast Guard had cleaned up only about six percent of the affected 236 hectares or five kilometers of the island’s shoreline.

Toribio welcomed the offer provided the chosen company negotiate a contract with Napocor as it is responsible for paying for the cleanup.

So far, the Coast Guard has spent P7 million since the cleanup started last month. Toribio estimates that at least P90 million is needed for a one-year job.

He also expressed apprehension that the ongoing cleanup may dry up the Coast Guard’s budget since Napocor has not yet reimbursed the agency for the expenses it has incurred so far in the cleanup operations.

Napocor may not be able to promptly refund the Coast Guard for the job after its insurer has denied its claim due to technicalities.