Philippines
Metro Manila
Fernando acts on oil spill threat, activates incident command post in Bulacan
Fernando acts on oil spill threat, activates incident command post in Bulacan
QUICK RESPONSE TO OIL SPILL INCIDENT-- Governor Daniel R. Fernando reports to Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin C. Abalos, Jr. the actions being taken by the Provincial Government of Bulacan including the issuance of a memorandum addressed to the concerned local chief executives in the province to prevent and mitigate the oil spill which may affect some coastal areas in Bulacan during the Joint NDRRMC - RDRRMC3 Emergency Meeting on the Oil Spill Incident in the Province of Bataan held at the RDC Hall, NEDA Region III, DMGC, Maimpis, City of San Fernando, Pampanga last Monday, July 29, 2024. (PPAO)
Bulacan Governor Daniel R. Fernando called for immediate action from local chief executives (LCEs) in the province in addressing and mitigating the potential oil spill threat along the coast of Bulacan from the capsized tanker MT Terranova in Limay, Bataan.
During the Joint NDRRMC - RDRRMC3 Emergency Meeting on the oil spill incident in the province of Bataan held at the RDC Hall, NEDA Region III, DMGC, Maimpis, City of San Fernando, Pampanga, Fernando issued Memorandum DRF-07292024 addressed to the LCEs of the Cities of Malolos and Meycauayan, Bulakan, Hagonoy, Calumpit, Marilao, Paombong and Obando, strongly advising all fishpond operators to harvest their fish, crabs, shrimp, prawns, and other seafood as soon as possible before they become contaminated by the oil, as recommended by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
Fernando also activated the province’s incident command post immediately after the reports on the oil spill incident came out. The command post will be headed by Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Officer Atty. Julius Victor C. Degala and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Manuel M. Lukban. They were tasked to oversee the ongoing monitoring and assessment of the affected areas.
“Ngayon po ay patuloy ang ating pagsasagawa ng mga aksyon at nag-create po tayo ng technical working group at nagtalaga po kami ng incident commander which is BENRO and PDRRMO para masubaybayan ang lahat ng mga nangyayari,” (We are taking action, we have created a technical working group, and we have appointed an incident commander which are BENRO and PDRRMO to monitor all that is happening)," the governor said.
He also advised fishermen to avoid sailing in areas affected by the oil spill. He also urged fishpond owners with dikes to ensure that contaminated water does not enter their ponds and to keep the check gates or sluices closed.
Based on the report of Degala, the Philippine Coast Guard has deployed 70 personnel and two pick-up trucks, one boom truck, one JAC Truck, and one Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) stationed at the Staging Area at Coast Guard Sub Station (CGSS) Obando and Bulacan PDRRMO.
The PCG has also gathered 600 coconut logs, 11 25-meter segment fence booms, ten packs of oil snare booms, six bales of absorbent pads, and five bales of absorbent booms which are now positioned at CGSS Obando.
In the meeting presided over by Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin C. Abalos, Jr., various agencies, including the PCG, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, DILG, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Department of Social Welfare and Development and other local government units provided their situation reports and the actions taken to prevent and mitigate the spread of the Industrial Fuel Oil (IFO) from the fuel tanker which poses health risks to both people and aquatic life.
Abalos suggested the conduct of daily testing and monitoring of the water quality in the affected areas and the creation of a core group responsible for coordinating and managing the response to the local government units affected by the oil spill.
“What is important is you do your report and everyday testing (water quality), ibigay agad sa mga gobernador, sa mga mayors – sa lahat. Napaka-importante noon,” (Give it immediately to the governors, and the mayors -to everyone, it's very important)," the secretary said.
Recent reports said that the UP-Marine Science Institute has observed some oil sheens and oil slicks near the waters of Barangays Taliptip in Bulakan, Tibagin in Hagonoy, and the vicinity waters of Brgy. Pamarawan, City of Malolos.