MANILA, Philippines- Nanawagan ang environmental groups nitong Huwebes sa pamahalaan na tugunan agad ang oil spill sa Bataan mula sa tumaob na motor tanker.
Inihayag ng marine protection organization Oceana ang pagkaalarma sa mapanganib na epekto ng spill sa municipal waters ng Limay at Mariveles sa Bataan, at Tanza, Rosario, Noveleta, at Cavite City sa Cavite.
“The government should immediately assess the effects of the oil spill on the marine environment, including fisheries, ensure that procedures and standards are set in motion and investigate who are directly responsible for this maritime incident,” pahayag ni Oceana vice president Estenzo Ramos.
“Further, we need to make sure that laws are strictly enforced and appropriate penalties are implemented,” dagdag niya. “Learning from the lessons of the oil spill in the Verde Island Passage, we need to study and craft measures such as increasing the fines and other sanctions based on the damages caused on the habitats, wildlife and the people’s lives and livelihood.”
Isa ang nasawi matapos tumaob ang MT Terra Nova, patungo sa Iloilo galing Bataan, 3.6 nautical miles sa silangan ng Lamao Point sa bayan ng Limay bandang ala-1:10 ng madaling araw.
Na-monitor ang oil spill 5.6 nautical miles sa silangan ng Lamao Point na may lawak na tinatayang two nautical miles.
Samantala, hinimok ng Greenpeace ang gobyerno na bawasan ang pag-depende nito sa fossil fuels dahil ang oil spill ay parang isang “ticking time bomb” sa kaligtasan at kabuhayan ng mga naninirahan sa coastal areas.
“We reiterate our call for the Marcos administration to end our dependence on fossil fuels, and expedite a just transition to renewable energy,” anang Greenpeace.
“President Marcos must also call for payment from fossil fuel companies for losses and damages suffered by Filipino communities, and immediately adopt a comprehensive Climate Justice Agenda as the country faces the worsening impacts of the climate crisis.”
Batay sa Philippine Coast Guard, nag-alok ang Oil Spill Response Organizations, oil companies, at local government units ng tulong sa oil spill response efforts.
Naganap ang huling major oil spill incident sa Pilipinas nito lamang Pebrero 2023 nang lumubog ang MT Princess Empress, may kargang 900,000 litro ng ndustrial oil, sa katubigan ng Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.
Natapos ang oil spill recovery operations noong Hunyo ng parehong taon. RNT/SA
