The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that responders, volunteers and other stakeholders have so far cleaned-up around 75.72 percent of the oil spill affected coastlines in barangays Semirara, Tinogboc and Sibolo in Caluya, Antique.
This was revealed during the 1st Quarter Full Council Meeting of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) 6, March 31, in Iloilo City.
PCG District Western Visayas Marine Environmental Protection Unit Deputy Commander Ensign John Edgar Bertillo said that 70 percent of the total length of coastline in Semirara affected by the oil spill was already cleaned from contaminated sands and debris.
He also reported that around 30 percent of the oil spill affected coastline at Barangay Tinogboc was cleaned from the contamination, and cleaning in 80 percent of the oil spill affected coastline in Barangay Sibolo was also done.
About 2,915 sacks, 111 one-toner bags, 119 pails and 441 drums of contaminated sands and debris were collected due to the oil spill incident based on records from the PCG District Western Visayas as of March 29 this year.
Bertillo added that Western Visayas has the best and well-coordinated response in this oil spill incident, so far.
The Philippine Coast Guard District Western Visayas personnel, together with volunteers, continue to clean the oil spill affected coastlines of contaminated sand and debris in barangays Semirara, Tinogboc and Sibolo in Caluya, Antique. (EJB-PIA6/Photo by PCG District Western Visayas)
The oil spill incident brought by the sinking of MT Princess Empress affected a total of 6,295 households composed of 23,432 individuals in the affected three barangays of Caluya town.
MT Princess Empress was loaded with 800,000 liters of industrial oil when it sank off Oriental Mindoro on February 28.AAL/EJB/PIA6
