Environment Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga flew in today to the town of Naujan to determine the extent of the damage of the oil spillage caused by the sinking of MT Princess Empress in Balingawan Point.
Upon arrival at the Incident Command Post, Loyzaga was briefed by the Philippine Coast Guard on the incident, the extent of the oil spill and the ongoing off-shore marine actions to contain the spread.
In her statement during the briefing, Loyzaga said that it is important that the exact location where the oil tanker sank be pinpointed to determine the extent of the damage it will wreck to the marine protected areas and the livelihood of the communities.
Per report of the PCG, the oil spill is spreading southward and has reached the coastlines of Pola, Pinamalayan and Bongabong municipalities. Coast Guard Romblon also reported presence of oil spill washed up on the shores of Sibale Island.
An Incident Command Post has been set up by the provincial government yesterday in Naujan to monitor and coordinate the efforts of the Municipal DRRMO and the members of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council including the containment efforts of the Philippine Coast Guard and the coastal clean up of the fishing communities.
In yesterday’s press statement on the oil spill, Loyzaga said that dive teams and marine scientists have already been mobilized to do the rapid assessment of the marine habitats – reefs, mangroves and the seagrasses.
Loyzaga said that the DENR is committed to helping the affected areas in restoring and regenerating the damaged marine ecosystems and in supporting the fisherfolks whose livelihoods will be affected. (PIA MIMAROPA)
