CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro – Occidental Mindoro Gov. Eduardo B. Gadiano on Monday, April 21, temporarily stopped sand-dredging operations in the sea of Rizal town after a vessel capsized last April 15 that resulted into the death of at least nine crew members.
THE Philippine Coast Guard-Special Operations Unit recover the ninth body on Sunday, April 20, from the ill-fated MV Hong Hai 16 that capsized in the sea of Barangay Malawaan, Rizal, Occidental Mindoro on April 15. (PCG District Southern Tagalog)
In a one-page order, Gadiano instructed Claro S. Zapata, president of Bluemax Tradelink Inc., to cease and desist dredging operations within the river dredging zone in Barangay Malawaan.
Gadiano also suspended the Notice to Proceed the provincial government issued to Bluemax to conduct dredging and other related activities until further notice.
The governor sent copies of the order to Felix Mirasol, regional executive director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 4-B; Felizardo A. Gacad Jr., regional director of Mines and Geosciences Bureau-Mimaropa; Gerald A. Pacanan, regional director, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 4-B, and Joe Amil M. Salino, regional director, Environmental Management Bureau 4-B.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), in coordination with other concerned agencies, continued its search, recovery, and environmental monitoring operations for MV Hong Hai 16.
On Sunday, April 20, the Marine Environmental Protection Enforcement Response Group Southern Tagalog assisted the Provincial Environmental Management Unit (PEMU) of San Jose in conducting water sampling in three strategic points on the shoreline of Barangay Malawaan.
Initial result of surface monitoring showed no visible signs of oil spill in the vicinity of the capsized vessel.
The PCG has recovered the bodies of nine crew members since it started rescue operations on April 15. Two of them are still missing.
PCG said the names of the deceased will be released upon notification of their next of kin as response operations remain ongoing.
Authorities are committed to locating the remaining missing individuals and ensuring environmental safety in the area.
The vessel, initially reported to be operated by Keen Peak Corp., with a total crew of 25 members (13 Filipinos and 12 Chinese), capsized under moderate sea conditions.
Fifteen crew members survived – six Filipinos and eight Chinese, the PCG reported.