Ilocos Sur disaster management council sets oil spill cleanup

Provincial disaster management officials in Ilocos Sur are to lead on Friday a massive drive to clean up an oil spill that threatens the shorelines of several towns in the province.

 

A report by state-run Philippines News Agency said the cleanup drive will start at the shorelines of Santiago town, one of the areas threatened by the spill.

 

“The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Mangement Council members will help the local officials and residents in the removal of the oil debris along affected beachlines until it totally wiped out,” PNA quoted PDRRMMC action officer Sigfred Duquing as saying.

 

He added the oil spill affected the coastal areas in Tagudin, Santa Cruz, Santa Lucia, Santiago, San Esteban, Santa Maria, Narvacan and Santa towns, and Candon City.

 

The oil spill is believed to be from the MV Harita Bauxite, which sank off Bolinao, Pangasinan last Feb. 16.

 

But the Office of Civil Defense also cited speculations the oil may have come from a vessel that docked in the shorelines of Bangar, La Union on Feb. 23, just a day before the oil slick was discovered.

 

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has dispatched two vessels to monitor the extent of the oil spill.

 

Fishermen's fears allayed

 

Meanwhile, the PNA said Office of Civil Defense Region 1 head Melchito Castro allayed fears of local fishermen that the spill may threaten their livelihood and the marine environment.

 

“The oil spill incident is not a threat to the livelihood of the people because this is no longer harmful to our marine resources. Our deep concern is the cleanliness of our beaches, thus, we need to conduct cleaning activities,” Castro said.

 

Earlier, the OCD Region 1 distributed empty sacks and shovels in La Union for massive cleaning operations of the oil spill. —KG, GMA News