Claim centers would be set up in areas affected by the oil spill, the owner of the ill-fated motor tanker (MT) Terranova said on Wednesday, August 14.

Valeriano del Rosario, legal counsel of the owner of the MTKR Terranova, told the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, and Climate Change during a hearing, that they have already discussed the matter to the local government units of Bataan and Cavite.

Due to the oil spill from MTKR Terranova, as well as the sunken MTKR Jason Bradley and the grounded MT Mirola 1, Bataan has been placed under a state of calamity.

Eight towns in Cavite has also been declared in a state of calamity due to the oil spill.

At the same time, del Rosario assured that MTKR Terranova’s owner—Shogun Ships Company Inc.—is with insurance company Steamship Mutual for a protection and indemnity type of insurance.

According to del Rosario, the limit of the insurance coverage is based on the provisions of the Civil Liabilities Convention (CLC).

The CLC became a law in the Philippines sponsored by Senator Manny Villar, and paved the creation of the Oil Compensation Fund. “The limit there is $6 million for now,” del Rosario said.

Also during the hearing, one of the owners of MTKR Terranova, Vicente J. Cordero III, told senators that their ships are registered with requirements and are not involved in any illegal activities.

“No, we are not involved in illegal activities…we are fully licensed. All valid and current),” Cordero III said.

Also during the hearing, the Senate environment panel moved to subpoena the owners of the MTKR Jason Bradley and MT Mirola 1 after they failed to show up.

It was Sen. Cynthia Villar who moved to subpoena the shipowners of the said motor tankers, saying they failed to show up “despite being notified of today’s hearing.”

Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino seconded the motion.