Oil spills contained in Zamboanga City, Misamis

MANILA, Philippines - The Maritime Environment Protection Unit of the Philippine Coast Guard was extra busy this week containing two oil spills in Zamboanga City and Misamis Oriental.

In a statement, PCG spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Algier Ricafrente said bunker oil leaked from a pipeline while motor tanker M/T Mactan Island was transferring the fuel to the Western Mindanao Power Corp. in Zamboanga City

The spilt oil was estimated to be about 50 to 60 liters. The damaged pipeline was eventually repaired and the oil leak was contained and cleaned up.

Another oil spill was reported in the vicinity of the Petron depot in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.

Gasoline reportedly spread to a mangrove area adjacent to the depot, but the Coast Guard and Petron were able to prevent it from reaching the shoreline.

– Evelyn Macairan, Alexis Romero