PCG: Over 5,600 liters of oily water mixture collected offshore amid Oriental Mindoro oil spill

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Wednesday said it has collected 5,603 liters of oily water mixture and 50 sacks of oil-contaminated materials offshore since March 1 amid the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro.

“From 01 to 14 March 2023, the PCG recorded 5,603 liters of oily water mixture and 50 sacks of oil-contaminated materials collected during its offshore oil spill response operations,” it said in a statement.

In shoreline operations, the PCG said it has collected 1,071 sacks and 22 drums of oil-contaminated materials in 13 affected barangays in the towns of Naujan, Bulalacao, and Pola.

Motor tanker Princess Empress was carrying 800,000 liters of industrial fuel oil when it sank due to strong waves on February 28. All 20 people on board were rescued.

The PCG said the motor tanker sank 400 meters into the ocean, which was too deep for divers to reach.

Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito Dolor earlier said that almost 100,000 residents in the province have now been affected by the oil spill.

Dolor added that 122 residents in the province became sick because of the effects of the oil spill. Some of them had respiratory-related symptoms, while others experienced vomiting and diarrhea.

He said only 13 out of the 77 areas declared under state of calamity have direct contact with the spill.

Citing the projection of the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UPMSI), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Sunday said the oil spill could reach northern Palawan mainland and threaten over 36,000 hectares of marine habitats.—Joviland Rita/AOL, GMA Integrated News