Gov’t agencies ordered to assess Bataan oil spill’s environmental impact

OIL SPILL. The sunken Motor Tanker Terra Nova in Manila Bay. The PCG said Thursday (July 25, 2024) that the tanker was carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel oil. (Photo courtesy of PCG)

MANILA, Philippines — Various government agencies were ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday to assess the environmental impact of the oil spill from the capsized tanker off Bataan.

Marcos, at a Palace briefing, specifically asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Department of Science and Technology to lead such an assessment.

“Can we add an instruction to the DENR to make already an assessment on the environmental impact of this? Basically, what we need to assess is, where was the capsized vessel?

“The fuel is being released; what are the tides? What are the winds? Where is it headed? Para maunahan na natin (So that we can get ahead of this situation). We need some determinations of that,” said Marcos.

READ: Tanker with 1.4M liters of oil sinks off Bataan, ‘working fuel’ leaks 

Marcos’ directive came after the MT Terra Nova, which was carrying around 1,494 metric tons of industrial fuel oil, capsized around 3.5 nautical miles off Limay, Bataan.

According to the Chief Executive, environmental experts need to know specifically which coastal areas are affected by the spill so that the government can prepare the necessary relief and remedy the situation.

During the briefing, Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista bared that one of the 17 crew aboard the oil tanker is still missing.

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