Verde Island Passage, world's center of marine biodiversity, in peril due to oil spill —expert

Between March 10 and 16, experts warned that the oil spilling from a sunken motor tanker off Mindoro Oriental could reach Verde Island Passage, the world's center of marine biodiversity.

"Dahil dun sa pagbagal ng hanging amihan, magpe-play ng mas malaking role 'ung ocean currents, ito ngayon ang magdidictate ng flow towards the Verde Island Passage," Dr. Irene Rodriguez of the University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI) said on a  "24 Oras" report by Sandra Aguinaldo.

Situated between Batangas and Mindoro, Verde Island is an important breeding ground and habitat of various marine organisms, Rodriguez said.

"So down the line, maaapektuhan of course ang ating food sources and that will lead to effects on livelihood sources," she added.

The Philippine Coast Guard said it is willing to work with the UP-MSI even as it said that based on shots by the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority, the tank containing the oil carried by the vessel remained closed.

"Parang hindi pa talaga ma-confirm kung ito yung industrial fuel sapagkat hindi nagtutluoy-tuloy 'yung bulwak nya," Coast Guard spokesperson Armand Balilo said.

The provincial government of Batangas said it continues to monitor efforts in controlling the oil spill.

The Calapan, Mindoro local government, meanwhile, said its beaches are not affected by the oil spill and have remained open to visitors.—LDF, GMA Integrated News