OIL SHEEN AGITATION. The Philippine Coast Guard's (PCG) BRP Sindangan uses water cannons against some oil sheen near the sunken MTKR Terranova in Bataan waters on Wednesday (Aug. 28, 2024). The PCG said oil siphoning from MTKR Terranova has so far collected 806,254 liters of oily waste. (Photo courtesy of PCG)
MANILA – Oily waste siphoned from the sunken MTKR Terranova has reached 806,254 liters on Wednesday after siphoning more than 200,000 liters in a single day.
In a situation update, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the contracted salvor, Harbor Star, collected 232,187 liters of oily waste on Wednesday alone, doubling the average amount siphoned per day since the operation began on Aug. 19.
The rate of oily waste flow on Wednesday reached 24,614 liters per hour, compared to 12,944 liters per hour on Monday.
Harbor Star’s divers also inspected pumps and hoses for any signs of leakage and reported that no leaks were observed.
To date, the PCG collected oil samples from the sunken tanker for analysis while BRP Sindangan continues to monitor the siphoning operation and using water cannons to agitate the minimal oil sheen at ground zero.
MTKR Terranova with 1.4 million liters of industrial oil on board sank off nearly Limay, Bataan on July 25 at the height of Typhoon Carina and enhanced southwest monsoon or habagat.
On the other hand, resealing and patching of MTKR Jason Bradley’s manhole and air vents is being implemented by its contracted salvor, FES Challenger.
An oil spill response team patrols the coastline near the sunken vessel to monitor the situation.
MV Mirola 1 has also been secured and moored at the Diving Industry Shipyard, Barangay Alas-asin in Mariveles Bataan.
Aid for oil spill victims
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 3 (Central Luzon) continues to closely monitor the situation in the affected local government units, saying it is ready to provide additional assistance, if necessary, to oil spill victims.
“Sa ngayon ang ating departamento, sa pamamagitan ng RDC (Regional Development Council) ay ongoing pa yung ating pagmo-monitor kung ano yung nangyayari sa oil spill (At present, our department, through the RDC, is continuously monitoring what is happening in the oil spill),” DSWD-3 Director Venus Rebuldela said during the department’s media forum on Friday.
Rebuldela said DSWD-3 has already sent 11,000 family food packs (FFPs) as resource augmentation to the most affected municipalities.
The office is also discussing with Bataan Governor Jose Enrique Sandejas Garcia III ways to explore other interventions it could provide to fisherfolk whose livelihoods were compromised by the oil spill.
The Cash-for-Work (CFW) program is an option, being the department’s initiative to provide employment opportunities to individuals and families in need, Rebuldela said.
He, however, said the implementation of the CFW remains optional while awaiting the reply of the Department of Labor and Employment, the lead agency in the provision of livelihood assistance. (PNA)
