MANILA – Nine coastal barangays in Rosario and Tanza, Cavite are now affected by an oil spill.
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel have yet to determine if the oil leaked from a pipeline of a third party contractor of oil firm Petron or from motor tanker M/T Makisig, which is docked in Rosario.
M/T Makisig is carrying fuel and transporting it to a Petron plant through an underwater pipe line.
In a statement issued on Friday, Petron said the oil spill could not have originated from its underwater pipeline as it was already sealed at the time of the alleged oil spill.
"As of this morning, no [diesel] coming out of the pipe line (same as yesterday) as we have already placed the metal encasement on the pipe line. Our oil spill booms are still deployed over the site to contain any residue and personnel are using sorbent pads for the sheen. Divers are also monitoring the integrity of the seals and the metal clamp. Local government unit representatives and Philippine Coast Guard also on site to assist and verify," Petron said.
M/T Makisig captain Avelino Casinillo, for his part, said the ship did not cause the spill because it was carrying a different type of oil product.
In an interview witth dzMM, Rosario Mayor Jose Ricafrente said authorities were having a hard time containing the spill since the fuel spreads fast in the water.
Seven barangays in Rosario and two in Tanza are now suffering from the oil spill, with fishermen forced to sell their catch at a much lower price.
Some residents also resorted to collecting the fuel, even as experts said the oil product are not suitable for use anymore.
Ricafrente said he is eyeing charges against the people who will be proven responsible for the spill. He added he may also have to seek the closure of the Petron depot if investigation reveals the oil came from one of its pipe lines.
The town is also considering declaring a state of calamity.
In 2010, an oil spill occurred in the same area also involving Petron. – with a report from Francis Faulve, ABS-CBN News