The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Monday, Jan. 27, that it responded to an oil spill caused by a fire that razed several warehouses in San Pedro, Laguna.

The oil spill occurred when the Kengian Complex Warehouse located in Barangay San Antonio was struck by a fire last Saturday. The warehouses were storing gadgets, stuffed toys, and oil, which flowed into the San Isidro River, one of the biggest rivers in San Pedro City, when the blaze hit.

“Initial investigation revealed that the spilled oil is weathered with approximately 1,000 liters which has affected an area of about 100 square meters at San Isidro River,” the PCG said.

The PCG said it laid 50 meters of oil spill booms to prevent the further spread of the oil into the Laguna de Bay, a major source of domestic water and fish supply, as the oil leak was monitored about 800 meters away from it.

The Coast Guard also coordinated with the San Pedro City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) for a joint oil recovery operation. Authorities said 50 drums of leaked fuel were retrieved in the vicinity of the warehouse while 22 drums of oil were collected from the river. 

Although the fire has already been controlled, the oil spill is feared to affect the livelihood of the community residing near the San Isidro River.

“As of press time, the PCG continues to monitor the oil spill booms amid the ongoing investigation,” the Coast Guard said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation while damage to properties was estimated to have reached P500 million.