Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia “Toni” Yulo-Loyzaga ordered on Thursday, July 25, the deployment of a survey vessel to assist in the search for the capsized motor tanker Terra Nova, which was loaded with 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel oil (IFO).
On Thursday, July 25, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that motor tanker (MT) Terra Nova, which was loaded with 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel oil (IFO), capsized and sank off Limay, Bataan.
Loyzaga immediately went to Limay, Bataan to meet with local government officials and PCG personnel after learning about the oil spill due to the capsized motor tanker.
“Ang immediate na kailangan po nating malaman ay ang location ng vessel at kung ano ang structural condition nito in order for us to understand and anticipate the dispersion of the oil (What we need to know immediately is the location of the vessel and its structural condition so that we can understand and anticipate the dispersion of the oil),” the DENR chief said in a statement released on Thursday, July 25.
The DENR stated that survey vessel BRP Hydrographer Presbitero will be dispatched to help locate the capsized motor tanker. This vessel, operated by the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), surveys marine and coastal environments for the environment department.
According to Loyzaga, the next focus of the DENR's efforts is on ecosystem protection.
“This means the mapping of the ecosystems reached by the spill and the determination of contamination of water sources once we have located the vessel,” she stated.
During a briefing with Limay Mayor Nelson David, Vice Mayor Richie Jason David, and PCG officials, Loyzaga told them that the DENR will support their efforts.
“Our assets are at their disposal so we can determine the possible impact of the incident,” she went on.
As such, the DENR chief stated that the environment department is working with the UP Marine Science Institute (MSI) to model potential dispersion of the vessel’s fuel and oil cargo in the event of leaks.
“The Department’s regional offices will establish additional water quality and air quality stations whenever they may be needed and coordinate with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office on possible impacts on coastal and marine ecosystems,” the agency added.