An educator from the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI) announced that the oil spill from the sunken motor tanker in Oriental Mindoro may reach Puerto Galera and Batangas.
According to UP-MSI associate professor Dr. Irene Rodriguez, in the recent projection, based on the current of water and wind, the North has slowed down and is heading north to the Verde Island passage.
“Based on projections, ang oil slick ay posibleng madala towards the north. So, pa-hilaga ang direksyon ng oil slick at ito ay maaaring makaapekto sa munisipalidad o coastal environments ng Calapan, Puerto Galera, at areas sa Batangas,” said Rodriguez.
On Friday, Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito Dolor first confirmed that the oil spill from the sunken MT Princess Empress had reached Calapan City.
Mayor Rocky Ilagan said that until this Thursday, it has not yet reached Puerto Galera or affected the fish there.
In order to prevent the further spread of the oil spill, Rodriguez proposed installing fireproof spill booms and burning the oil.
“Certain volume lang, hindi ‘yung kalahatan. Maghihiwalay ka lang ilang volumes, 20,000 to 30,000 liters, mula sa major oil slick. Kapag nadala na sa mas kalmadong lugar ng dagat, saka siya sisindihan…and then repeat again the process,” he explained.
Oil spill may reach Puerto Galera, Batangas
He also supported the proposal to first ban large ships from passing through Verde Island because it is considered a center of marine biodiversity.
It can be recalled that the MT Princess Empress was loaded with industrial fuel oil when it sank in the waters covered by Oriental Mindoro due to strong waves on February 28.
The remotely operated vehicle (ROV) that will be used to find the exact location of the ship that caused the oil spill in the province arrived this Monday morning in Oriental Mindoro.
The ship Shin Nihci Maru has arrived at Calapan Port from Japan, carrying the ROV that will dive into the sea off Pola, Oriental Mindoro, to determine the location of the ship MT Princess Empress, which sank 20 days ago and contained 800,000 liters of industrial fuel.
According to Negros Oriental Governor Humerlito Dolor, the ROV Hakuyo can destroy a depth of up to 2,000 meters.
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