by: Jerome Paunan
MANILA, (PIA) — The National Capital Region (NCR) disaster response agencies have mobilized efforts to contain a potential environmental catastrophe as an oil spill from the capsized motor tanker MT Terra Nova, which occurred on July 25, 2024, near Bataan, approaches Metro Manila.
According to Office of Civil Defense-NCR Director George F. Keyser, also concurrent Senior Vice-Chairperson of the Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MMDRRMC), the tanker capsized approximately 3.6 nautical miles east of Lamao Port in Limay, Bataan, sparking fears of a major environmental disaster as forecasts predict the oil slick could reach Manila Bay.
Keyser said the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has led the charge in response efforts, deploying oil spill booms and conducting water sampling to monitor the spread of the oil slick.
On July 27, PCG personnel positioned an oil spill boom at the mouth of Tangos River to prevent the oil from entering the river system.
In anticipation of the spill reaching Metro Manila, 270 meters of oil spill boom were deployed at Tanza Marine Eco Tree Park in Navotas on July 28.
To further strengthen the containment efforts, PCG teams conducted extensive patrols along the shorelines and waters of NCR.
BRP Sindangan (MRRV-4407) was dispatched to the affected area, where personnel prepared and mixed dispersants with seawater to break down the oil sheens trapped within the spill booms.
An aerial survey conducted on August 7 by the Coast Guard Incident Command Post revealed only thin, transparent oil sheens, suggesting that containment measures were proving effective.
Meanwhile, local government units (LGUs) and other agencies have been actively involved in the response. The LGUs of Mandaluyong, Navotas, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Pasay, and Manila have been on the alert and are ready to provide response effots against the oil spill. In Cavite, for instance, contaminated debris amounting to approximately 2.22 metric tons was collected from the shorelines of Tanza, illustrating the widespread impact of the spill.
The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) have also stepped in to assess the situation.
The EMB is conducting ambient air quality monitoring and is working to establish additional monitoring stations near coastal areas to track potential air quality effects.
BFAR has been coordinating with local government units to assess the impact on fishing communities and is conducting water quality tests in Manila Bay to evaluate the environmental consequences of the spill.
Despite the extensive response efforts, the threat remains significant as adverse weather conditions continue to hamper containment measures.
The installation of an improvised absorbent boom at the Las Piñas-Zapote River Mouth was postponed due to unfavorable weather on August 8, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by response teams.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) are closely monitoring the situation, with continuous updates being provided to relevant authorities.
As Metro Manila braces for the potential impact of the oil spill, response agencies remain vigilant in their efforts to mitigate the environmental damage and protect the coastal communities at risk. (JCO/PIA-NCR)
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