The Republic of Korea has donated sorbent pads and other equipment that will be used in the operations to contain the oil spill off the waters of Oriental Mindoro and nearby areas following the sinking of an oil tanker on Feb. 28.
In a statement, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said it already received the equipment from the Republic of Korea after its arrival on Wednesday, April 5.
“The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) received the donations for immediate transport to Oriental Mindoro to augment the ongoing offshore and shoreline response operations,” the statement read.
A Korean ship which unloaded equipment that will be used in the operations to contain the oil spill off the waters of Oriental Mindoro and other affected areas. (photo: Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines Facebook)
Donated were 20 tons of sorbent pads and snares; 1,000 meters of solid flotation curtain boom; and 2,000 sets of personal protective equipment (PPE).
South Korea is among the countries that has been actively assisting the PCG in containing the oil spill, brought by the sinking of MT Princess Empress which was then carrying 820,000 liters of industrial fuel.
In its latest update, the PCG said it collected 16,333 liters of oily water mixture and 135.5 sacks of oil-contaminated materials collected during its offshore oil spill response operations.
For shoreline response, the PCG said it collected 184 sacks of oil-contaminated materials on April 5.
So far, the PCG has already collected 4,841.5 sacks and 22 drums of waste collected in 14 affected barangays in Naujan, Bulalacao, and Pola, Oriental Mindoro from March 1 to April 5.