ILOILO CITY – A team from the University of the Philippines (UP) Visayas is set to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the damage sustained by three barangays in Caluya, Antique from the oil slick from the sunken tanker M/T Princess Empress in Oriental Mindoro.
A TEAM from the University of the Philippines-Visayas is set to assess the damage sustained by three barangays in Caluya, Antique from the oil slick from the sunken oil tanker in Oriental Mindoro. (Philippine Coast Guard)
“We are going to provide science-based technical advice on the needs of the government, particularly the local government unit for the recovery and rehabilitation,” said Dr. Rex Sadaba, a mangrove scientist and head of the team composed of the biophysical team, socio-economic and health team, and communications and coordination unit.
Oil slick containment experts, as well as experts looking into the oil slick’s impact on the marine biology and fisheries of the three island-barangays, will also be on hand.
Sadaba said that while there is ‘’bayanihan’’ (cooperation) concept among the coastal residents hit by the oil slick, the method for cleanup is hazardous.
Photos and videos have emerged of children helping in the cleanup without any protective gear such as masks or hand gloves.
The team may be able to perform most assessments by the middle of April when the real impact would set in.
Sadaba said that it is only when they complete the damage assessment that rehabilitation plans can be
made.
He added the current oil spill is bigger in scope in comparison to the oil spill in 2005 in Semirara Island, the country’s coal mine reserve.