6 Agosto 2024, Martes
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‘Very thin oil sheens’ detected from 2 vessels — PCG
By J.Lo
“BFAR regularly inspects fish at Navotas fish port and conducts sensory evaluation, plus fish delivered there came from other areas before distributing to other markets,” Department of Agriculture (DA) Assistant Secretary and spokesman Arnel de Mesa said Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) continues to monitor “very thin oil sheens” seen from two of three vessels sank and ran aground off Bataan.
Oil spill booms are still present in the areas where tanker MT Terra Nova sank in Limay and where MV Mirola 1 beached on shores of Mariveles, according to Coast Guard.
It said PCG is performing “continuous repositioning and maintaining of oil spill booms” for Terra Nova as well as “monitors oil spill booms and continues oil recovery and containment” on Mirola 1.
PCG reported “presence of very thin oil sheens on ground zero” of Terra Nova.
Previously, PCG rated oil spill from sunken tanker at one liter per hour following installation of canvas caps that sealed valves of tanks containing estimated 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel.
It is also awaiting fabrication and installation of metal caps that will replace canvas caps within two weeks, according to estimate given to PCG by salvage company in charge of performing upcoming siphoning operation for Terra Nova.
Meanwhile, PCG had “recovered 790 liters of oil-water mixture and five sacks of contaminated oil debris using absorbent pads” from MV Mirola 1 as of yesterday.
On the other hand, PCG and another salvage company “continue salvage operations” for sunken tanker MT Jason Bradley, as they were preparing equipment and personnel on site as of yesterday.
“Divers prepare for pipe insertion by clearing debris,” PCG said.
Meanwhile, ranking official of DA assured public of safety of fish sold in the markets amid drop in demand following oil spill off Limay, Bataan.
At press briefing, De Mesa said fish at Navotas fish port were examined by Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
DA official noted that fish from Navotas fish port came from Lucena, Quezon and other provinces and not from areas affected by oil spill.
“Fish sold in markets are guaranteed safe based on assurance of BFAR as fishing ban is being implemented in areas affected by oil spill,” he said.
At the same time, De Mesa assured public of enough fish supply despite many areas being affected by oil spill.
“As of now, supply is not affected as based on latest data from our municipal ports, catch is higher compared to the same period last year and those affected are not major source,” he said.
He added DA would provide P3,000 fuel subsidy to help fisherfolk affected by oil spill.
“We have P500-million budget for fuel subsidy,” De Mesa said.
He added BFAR would continue to provide relief assistance to areas affected by oil spill after food packs were distributed to fisherfolk in Noveleta, Cavite over the weekend.
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