DOTC keeps mum on company repacking endosulfan

In repacking the 400 packs of endosulfan, not only is the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) securing the package of the toxic pesticide but it is also keeping the facility that would undertake the job under wraps.

DOTC Undersecretary Ma. Elena Bautista, who chairs the Task Force of the Princess of the Stars, said the barge carrying the endosulfan packs, traveling at six knots, was moving slow and was expected to reach its destination yesterday.

However, Bautista declined to disclose the port where the barge would dock and the facility that would undertake the repacking of the toxic cargo.

The STAR learned though that the cargo arrived at the Batangas port yesterday afternoon. Port officials, however, were either unavailable for interview or refused to say anything.

The endosulfan would reportedly then be brought to Canlubang in Laguna.

Divers of the salvaging firms Titan Maritime Inc. and Harbor Star completed the retrieval of the cargo from the capsized passenger-cargo ship M/V Princess of the Stars off Sibuyan Island in Romblon last Oct. 5.

“The plant that agreed to repack the endosulfan said they preferred to do so with less media attention. It is a private company and they just want to do their job; let the experts do their job,” Bautista said.

Bautista said they have already informed the congressman and mayor who have jurisdiction over the facility that they would be bringing the hazardous cargo to their area.

Bautista gave assurance though that the cargo would not pose any health hazards to the public.

She earlier had said the government, the ship owner, Sulpicio Lines Inc. (SLI), and its shipper would be spending close to P2 million in repackaging and bringing back the endosulfan to Israel.

It was agreed that while waiting for the Manila City Regional Trial Court (MCRTC) to decide on the case filed by SLI against the consignee of the toxic pesticide, Del Monte Philippines Inc. (DMPI), the government, SLI and the shipper, Makhteshim Chemical Works Ltd., would initially shoulder the expenses in transporting the cargo back to Israel.

“We estimate that we would be spending P1 million for the transfer of the 400 packs of endosulfan from Romblon to Manila and reconstruct the fiber boards to meet the international standards. Then we would be spending a few thousand dollars, probably equivalent to less than a P1 million, to bring it back to Israel. It is cheaper to bring it back to Israel,” Bautista said.

However, she clarified that the government would be able to refund the money it would spend for the transportation.

She said they just need to wait for the ruling of MCRTC Branch 24 Judge Antonio Eugenio on who is at fault between the SLI and DMPI.

“Whoever will lose in the case will be the one who would reimburse (the government),” she said.

“The cargo could still be utilized even if it has been submerged in water for three months. They (Makhteshim) could still sell the product,” she added.

Meanwhile, Bautista said they were hopeful that all the chemicals owned by Bayer Crop Science (BCS) would be retrieved yesterday afternoon.

She also asked the public to pray for good weather when they start siphoning an estimated 250,000 liters of crude oil from the 23,000 gross-ton ship.

“If the waters are rough there is a possibility that the hose siphoning the crude oil would be dislodged from the ship and the crude oil will just spill into the water,” she said.

The TF-POTS earlier had given Titan Maritime Inc. and Harbor Star until Oct. 24 to complete the removal of all toxic chemicals and crude oil from the sunken vessel.

It is only after they have removed all the hazardous products would they start retrieving the skeletal remains of people trapped in the ill-fated vessel, before finally removing the wreck from the site.

The M/V Princess of the Stars capsized off Sibuyan Island last June 21 at the height of typhoon “Frank,” leaving 32 survivors, more than 200 dead and some 500 others missing. – With Arnell Ozaeta