Leaked bunker fuel spreads from a damaged power barge off the coast of Iloilo City (Photo courtesy of Leo Solinap)
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will serve a notice of violation to the owner of the power barge that spilled oil off the coast of Iloilo City last Friday, July 3.
On July 3, an explosion damaged the power barge docked at the village of Barrio Obrero owned by AC Energy Corp. which caused it to spill an estimated 40,000 liters of bunker fuel.
Environment Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said a technical conference will be convened to address the oil spill focusing on the clean-up operations.
“The case will be endorsed to PAB (Pollution Adjudication Board) for computation of fines against AC Energy Corp.,” he said in a message to reporters on Sunday.
The owner of the power barge is tasked to clean up the oil spill, and Antiporda said it has tapped a third party to conduct clean-up operations in the affected area.
Antiporda also said the priority is to contain the spill from the barge and prevent it from going to the shoreline. The barge, owned by AC Energy Corp., is estimated to be carrying 200,000 liters of bunker fuel.
The clean-up operations are being supervised by the Philippine Coast Guard, he added.
For its part, PCG said it will file a criminal case against AC Energy Corp. “if warranted.”
It added that the PCG’s legal affairs team will fly to Iloilo City to assist in the probe.
More than 300 residents living along the coastal areas in the area have been evacuated from the area due to fumes from bunker fuel spilled into the waters of the Iloilo River.