Oil Spill off Bataan Reaches Cavite Coastline

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Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla announced on Monday that the oil spill from the sunken Motor Tanker Terranova off Limay, Bataan has spread to several coastal barangays in Cavite.


"Oil spill alert. Coastal barangays of Ternate, Maragondon, Naic, and parts of Tanza will be affected," Remulla stated in a social media post.


"The oil spill was slightly observed earlier this morning," he added.


The provincial government is preparing to provide assistance to the affected areas, Remulla assured.


Previously, the fishers’ group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) reported that the oil spill had reached Tanza, with residents and fisherfolk noticing a distinct odor in the municipality.


PAMALAKAYA Vice Chairperson Ronnel Arambulo expressed concern, stating, "Our worst fear has happened; the oil has spread across Manila Bay, affecting the livelihood of many fishermen."

More than 5,000 fishers are at risk of losing their source of income, with worries about contamination of fishery resources and potential impacts on farm gate prices, PAMALAKAYA added.


While the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and authorities appear to downplay the severity of the spill, Manila Bay fishermen are deeply worried, still recovering from the recent onslaught of Typhoon Carina and the Habagat season, Arambulo noted.


The University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UP MSI) recently warned that the oil spill could extend to the coasts of Bulacan and Cavite.


On July 25, one crew member died and 16 others were rescued after the MT Terranova capsized and sank 3.6 nautical miles east off Lamao Point in Limay, according to the PCG. 


The PCG confirmed leaks from the tanks carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel oil onboard the motor tanker. Nine affected tank valves have since been sealed, and the PCG continues to monitor the situation.


Additionally, another sunken ship, the MTKR Jason Bradley, carrying an unknown quantity of diesel cargo, was found to have leaks in Bataan.

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