MANILA, Philippines- Kaagad pinakakasuhan ng Senado ang lahat ng may-ari at operator ng tatlong barko na lumubog sa Bataan na naging sanhi ng malawakang oil spill sa karagatan na nakapinsala na marine ecology at kabuhayan ng mamamayan sa lugar.
Sinabi ni Senador Cynthia Villar, chairman ng Senate committee on environment and natural resources na dapat magsampa kaagad ang kaso laban sa shipowners at operator na inimbestigahan ng Senado.
Napag-alaman sa pagdinig ng komite na dapat parusahan ang mga may-ari at operators ng MTKR Terranova, MV Mirola 1, at MT Jason Bradley na lumubog nong Hulyo sa baybayin ng Bataan.
“Again, the oil spill has caused extensive economic and environmental damage, posing threats to marine ecosystem and biodiversity, and the livelihood of fisherfolks and coastal communities,” ani Villar.
Sa pagdinig, nangako sina Martin Jose Despi, regional director, Environmental Management Bureau, Region III; Commodore Arnaldo Lim, Philippine Coast Guard; at Sonia Malaluan, administrator, Maritime Industry Authority, na magsasampa ng mga kaso sa loob mg isang buwan.
“The allegations against the responsible parties include leaving port without clearance, lacking operational documents, and causing significant environmental harm,” sabi pa ng senador.
Layunin ng ikalawang pagdinig sa Senate Resolution No. 1084 na isinampa ni Majority Leader Francis “Tol” Tolentino, na tiyakin ang sanhi ng oil spill, tugunan ang epekto nito, alamin ang “effectiveness at sufficiency” ng response efforts, at alamin ang katotohanan sa oil smuggling allegations.
“We echo Senator Tol’s sentiment that this is result of the government’s neglect, which causes misery to our fisherfolks, and which needs to be properly addressed,” dagdag pa ni Villar. Ernie Reyes
