Ortega: Probe effects of oil spill

SAN FERNANDO, La Union, Philippines – Gov. Manuel Ortega has ordered the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to investigate thoroughly the effects of the oil spill on coastal communities before filing charges against the owner of M/V Arita Bauxite, a Myanmar ship that sank off Bolinao, Pangasinan last Feb. 17.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has confirmed that the sunken vessel was the source of the oil spill that affected coastal areas in La Union, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte.

Adamor Dagang, provincial information officer, said PCG officials reported during a meeting at the provincial capitol that the sunken ship was the culprit based on the PCG’s aerial survey, investigation, and tests on oil samples. 

Capt. Pablo Gonzales Jr., PCG district commander in Northern Luzon, said in an interview with GMA-Dagupan that the oil spill is now under control although the cleanup will still take another week.