EDITORIAL — Invest in our planet

The country joins the world in celebrating Earth Day today as coastal communities in several provinces continue to reel from the impact of a massive oil spill.

The motor tanker Princess Empress was transporting 900,000 liters of industrial fuel oil from the SL Gas Harbor Terminal in Limay, Bataan to Iloilo when it sank off Naujan, Oriental Mindoro early in the morning of Feb. 28, eventually settling at a depth of about 400 meters.

Tanker owner RDC Reield Marine Services, which reportedly refurbished the 50-year-old vessel described by the justice secretary as a “rebuilt scrap” originally known as Dorothy Uno, lacked the resources to contain the oil spill or even pinpoint its exact location in the depths of the sea. The country had to wait for a remotely operated vehicle provided by Japan, which finally located the tanker on March 21 and began plugging the leaks.

Today, fisheries and tourism in at least nine towns in Oriental Mindoro have ground to a halt. In a peak travel season, Puerto Galera has seen a drop in tourist arrivals amid concerns over pollution from the toxic black oil reaching the popular dive destination. There are continuing fears that the oil slick might reach the Verde Island Passage, the global center of marine biodiversity.

Even without the oil spill, however, Philippine waters and marine life, notably the country’s extensive coral reefs, have been facing threats of degradation from pollution, destructive fishing methods and unfettered reclamation projects including in Manila Bay.

Greater awareness of environmental issues and the existential threat posed by climate change has led to the enactment of Philippine laws to promote a green economy. As in much of the world, however, progress has been spotty. The investment required in shifting to green technology is not cost-effective for many developing countries, which point out that even advanced economies cannot afford to wean themselves completely away from crude oil, and are in fact among the biggest consumers of fossil fuels.

Still, programs are being rolled out to provide incentives for the development and use of alternative energy. Better waste management schemes are being drawn up, especially for underserved communities, not only to reduce pollution but also to promote public health. Efforts to protect wildlife and preserve fragile ecosystems have intensified in the past decades.

Despite the progress, there’s still a lot of work ahead. The commitment to invest in our planet can be renewed this Earth Day.