DOTr to ask help from Japan to contain Mindoro oil spill | ABS-CBN

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DOTr to ask help from Japan to contain Mindoro oil spill

DOTr to ask help from Japan to contain Mindoro oil spill

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

 | 

Updated Mar 04, 2023 02:25 PM PHT

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 Members of Bantag Dagat clean up the shore affected by an oil spill in Barangay Tagumpay, Pola, Oriental Mindoro on March 2,2023. Russel Tan, Pola Oriental Mindoro Official Page
Members of Bantag Dagat clean up the shore affected by an oil spill in Barangay Tagumpay, Pola, Oriental Mindoro on March 2,2023. Russel Tan, Pola Oriental Mindoro Official Page

MANILA (UPDATED) — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will ask the help of the Japanese government to contain the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro, Secretary Jaime Bautista said on Saturday.

Bautista said they will start reaching out on Monday through the Japanese embassy and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

“Siguro hihingi kami ng tulong sa Japanese government dahil… malaki ang kakayahan ng Japanese government na matulungan tayo para hindi masyado kumalat yung oil spill sa ating mga islands sa Mindoro,” he said during a media forum in Quezon City.

“Magsisimula pa lang, wala pa – sa Monday,” he told reporters during a chance interview.

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He also hoped the oil spill would not reach Verde Island Passage oin Batangas, as this is a protected area. The Philippine Coast Guard earlier this day said the oil spill already reached Caluya in Antique.

Advocacy group Oceana also expressed their concern on the impact of the oil spill in the island, as this is considered the center of marine biodiversity in the world.

“All of us should be alarmed at the devastation and damage of this ongoing tragedy on fisheries resources and coastal marine ecosystems, particularly, mangroves, seagrass and coral reefs in this ecologically sensitive area which likewise impact the livelihoods of artisanal fisherfolk and coastal communities including tourism," Oceana Vice President Gloria Ramos said.

"There are many questions that need immediate response from government among which are measures taken to ensure that the compliance with our national laws and regulations including the safeguards under the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships," she said.

The MT Princess Empress sank with its cargo of 800,000 liters of industrial fuel oil as it sailed into rough seas off Naujan, Oriental Mindoro on Tuesday.

Marine experts have said over 24,000 hectares of coral reef area in the Mindoro provinces alone may be at risk from the oil spill

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