Citing the great environmental damage that has been caused, Cavite 4th district Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. is seeking a House inquiry into the sinking of motor tanker (MT) Princess Empress off the waters of Naujan, Oriental Mindoro that led to the spillage of 800,000 liters of industrialized fuel.
Barzaga, chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, filed House Resolution (HR) No. 829, which requests the panel to investigate, in aid of legislation, the oil spill that has affected 10 municipalities in Oriental Mindoro.
"Additionally, the oil spill might affect 20,000 hectares of coral reef, 9,900 hectares of mangroves, and 6,000 hectares of seagrass and could possibly coat the marine habitats and animals…which can clog the gills of fish and marine invertebrates…damage the feathers of bird and fur of marine mammals," the resolution said.
The Barzaga resolution said the oil spill, which has already caused severe damage in Oriental Mindoro, could also reach other coastal islands including Palawan, Antique and Romblon.
The vessel MT Princess Empress is an oil products tanker that is only a year old. It sank last Feb. 28.
Oceana, an international environment group, earlier called on the government "to immediately implement mechanisms and actions to stop further damage on the marine environment, fisheries resources and livelihood in the affected Verde Island Passage which is the ‘center of the center of marine biodiversity in the world".
It also asked the government to “start the investigation and testing on the extent of contamination…immediate assistance of the local fisherfolk dependent on the affected body of water".
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has already announced last Monday that it has found the possible site of the capsized vessel, which is about 1,200 feet below sea level, a few days after the DENR deployed the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) BRP Hydrographer Ventura within the area of the oil spill site.