Verde Island in Batangas, Philippines has now been affected by the oil spill from a submerged motor tanker that sank in Oriental Mindoro on February 28, 2023, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
PCG-Batangas station commander Captain Victorino Acosta confirmed the news and said that they are still evaluating the extent of the oil spill on Verde Island’s shoreline.
He added that the PCG is also monitoring the situation in other coastal areas of Batangas such as San Juan, Tingloy, Lobo, and Calatagan.
Acosta further informed that the province has already put in place improvised oil spill booms and other equipment to prepare for such incidents. He added that there is no announcement of a fishing ban in Batangas, and ro-ro travel remains unaffected.
However, on Sunday, University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI) associate professor Dr. Irene Rodriguez warned that the oil spill might reach Batangas and Puerto Galera as the Northeast Monsoon or Amihan has slowed down and is going towards the north along the Verde Island passage.
MT Princess Empress had sunk while carrying 900,000 liters of industrial fuel off Naujan on February 28 causing the oil spill to spread in the surrounding waters.
The incident has raised concerns about its environmental impact on marine life and the health of residents in the affected areas.
Source: Inside Politico | #InsidePolitico | March 20, 2023