Oil spill from a shipyard in Aklan flows into nearby rivers

Local residents help contain the oil spill in Barangay Polo in Aklan’s New Washington town. (Photo courtesy of the PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD)

MANILA, Philippines — An oil spill occurred in a shipyard in Aklan town which spread to a nearby river, the Philippine Coast Guard said on Thursday.

The PCG said the oil spill occurred on May 26 in Barangay Polo, New Washington town, while traces of oil sheen was found at an adjacent river in Barangay Poblacion.

Authorities said the leak came from a non-operational barge docked at the shipyard.

PCG said efforts to stop the oil spill are ongoing, containing the oily mixture using absorbent pads and absorbent booms.

“The PCG team conducted manual collection, while shipyard employees used heavy equipment to haul oil contaminated debris,” the PCG said in a statement.

The PCG has yet to release information on the total liters of oil that spilled in the area.

READ: Group estimates 2023 Mindoro oil spill damage at P41.2B