Asia/Pacific News
Oil Spill in Philippines Hitting Coasts, Beaches
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) says it is battling an oil spill that has now spread to at least 11 areas in the northern part of the country, and it has found the oil is “identical” to samples from a vessel that sank in Bolinao, Pangasinan in February.
PCG Marine Environmental Protection Command (MEPCOM) chief Commodore Joel Garcia said a link between the polluted areas and the Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier MV Harita Bauxite is not conclusive, and more study is needed.
Garcia said the tourist industry could be hurt by the spill, which has reached several beach resorts.
“The local tourism in those areas are really affected right now and owners are worried since the Holy Week and vacation months are already coming near but they also understand that the incident is an accident no one wants it to happen and with the Coast Guard presence in the area, they are confident that all things will be under control,” he said.
Around 300 Coast Guard workers are conducting a “massive coastal clean-up” in La Union along with local agencies and the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, and about 10 sacks of oil debris have been recovered in a joint clean-up by local government and the Municipality of Bangar.
The MV Harita Bauxite, which sank on February 17 after encountering engine trouble and then rolling, was bound to Ningbo, China from Obi, Indonesia, according to an earlier Coast Guard report.
On February 21, 2013 one crew was confirmed dead, nine were rescued, and 14 were missing, when the Coast Guard terminated its search and rescue efforts.
