The Philippines is racing to prevent an environmental catastrophe in Manila Bay. - Photo: EPA-EFE
MANILA: President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. formed an inter-agency task force on Saturday (July 27) to assess and address the oil spill off Bataan and its possible effects to the environment, health, public welfare, and livelihood.
The task force will be made up of the Office of the Civil Defense, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Marcos also raised the use of indigenous materials to quickly absorb the oil from the waters.
"Let’s start because whatever happens, we will be needing commercial booms. We will take whatever we can get. There may be other offers, but it’s not going to be enough," Marcos said.
The PCG on Saturday reported that there is already some oil leaking from the Motor Tank (MT) Terra Nova, which was carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel when it sank off Bataan Thursday morning.
The DENR will handle water and air quality tests within the contaminated areas while DOH will be in charge of looking after affected residents’ health, while the DILG will be in charge of coordinating with local government units.
PCG, tasked to assess the condition of the sunken tank, said on Saturday that the estimated stretch of the oil spill reached 12 to 14 kilometers.
Its current trajectory is southwest, facing areas such as Nasugbu and Naig in Batangas, Mariveles in Bataan, and Cavite.
DOLE will be in charge of providing livelihood programs for affected residents while DSWD will provide aid to the victims and ensure the protection of the affected communities within the coastal areas.
Marcos also ordered the task force to coordinate with Oriental Mindoro Governor Bonz Dolor on how the local government responded to the Mindanao oil spill in February 2023.
The oil spill cost nearly P1 billion in livelihood damage. - The Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
