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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider UP experts: Oil spill may reach Verde Island, Batangas due to weakening of amihan

UP experts: Oil spill may reach Verde Island, Batangas due to weakening of amihan

Published Mar 14, 2023 02:53 am
The weakening of the northeast monsoon, locally referred to as amihan. May result in the oil spill reaching Verde Island Passage and the coastal areas of Batangas, experts from the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute said. The Verde Island Passage (VIP), is dubbed as the global center of marine biodiversity and provides food and other benefits to around two million people and is known for a wide array of corals. The VIP is also home to endangered and threatened species including the critically endangered hawksbill turtle, whale sharks, manta rays, dugongs, humphead wrasses, giant groupers, and giant clams.  In a statement, the UP Marine Science Institute said the weakening of the amihan may result in the hundreds of thousands of industrial oil that sank with the MT Princess Empress flowing northwards. This would mean that the oil spill may affect the coastal areas of Calapan City; the coastal areas of Batangas that include Batangas City, Lobo and San Juan; and, the Verde island. The UP Marine Science Institute projected that the oil spill may reach the areas by March 16. Environment experts have been raising the alarm bell on the impact of the oil spill, especially when it reaches the Verde Island Passage. The UP Marine Science Institute said the Verde Island Passage, located between Batangas and Mindoro, has the highest concentration of coastal fishes, corals, crustaceans, molluscs, seagrasses, and mangroves.  “Damage from the oil spill may affect biodiversity (including endemic species only found in the Philippines as well as species yet to be discovered), tourism revenues, and food security in the area,” the statement read. The Department of Tourism earlier said that the oil spill has already started affecting tourism sites in Mindoro and nearby areas.  The RDC Reield Marine Services, owner of the MT Princess Empress that was carrying more than 800,000 liters of industrial oil when it sank off the waters of Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, has committed compensation for the damage of the oil spill. The Philippine government, headed by the Philippine Coast Guard and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR),  have been conducting aggressive clean-up drive in the oil spill-affected areas since the tanker’s sinking on Feb. 28.   

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Verde Island Passage oil spill UP Marine Institute Batangas
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