Lawmaker wants oil spill probed

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By Ire Joe Laurente

Read this in The Manila Times digital edition.

CALAPAN CITY: A resolution has been filed at the House of Representatives calling for an investigation in aid of legislation of the possible violations of marine safety laws and marine environmental laws in relation to the sinking of an oil tanker in Oriental Mindoro on Feb. 28, 2023.

The oil spill from the sunken vessel has affected four provinces that straddle the Verde Island Passage, known for its rich marine biodiversity.

In a post on his social media page, First District Rep. Arnan Panaligan said that he filed House Resolution 854 on March 13, 2023.

The lawmaker said he called for the inquiry because the oil spill is threatening the lives and livelihood not only of the people of Oriental Mindoro but also the provinces of Palawan and Batangas and some parts of Visayas.

"The oil spill has reached the waters near Taytay, Cuyo and Coron Islands in the northern part of Palawan and some areas of Panay, every day that the oil spills from the sunken tanker means that wider areas of our fragile marine ecosystem will be devastated if left uncontrolled or unmanaged, the famous white sand beaches in Boracay in the Western Visayas may also be in danger depending on the changes in the flow of the current," Panaligan said in his resolution.

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According to the projection of the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UPMSI), the oil spill could advance to the Verde Island Passage and some coastal areas in the province of Batangas with the weakening of the northeast monsoon (amihan) and the northward track of the sea current.

Panaligan said that the oil spill is no longer a local concern but of national interest considering its adverse impact on food security. The Philippine Statistics Authority citing that Oriental Mindoro and Palawan contributes 59,895.53 metric tons to regional fish production.

"The owner of MT Princess Empress, RDC Reield Marine Services (RDC) has the primary obligation and liability in this environmental disaster, therefore, RDC should be compelled to carry out the immediate cleanup and rehabilitation of the waters and coastal areas ravaged by the pollution," Panaligan said.

In a text message to The Manila Times on Monday, March 20, Panaligan said that the resolution was filed before the House Committee on Rules and the committee is already looking for resource persons for the inquiry.

P5M daily loss

Meanwhile, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) chief information officer Nazario Briguera said in a press briefing on Monday that fisherfolk in Oriental Mindoro and nearby islands lose an estimated amount of P5 million per day due to the oil spill.

Based on the bureau's registry, there are 19,000 affected fisherfolk whose livelihood was put on hold because of the oil slick.

"We estimate that P5 million is lost everyday as fisherfolk lose their livelihood while fishing farms are closed," Briguera said.

Fishing has been banned in areas affected by the oil spill.

According to Briguera, the BFAR gave P1.5 million in aid to the communities affected by the oil spill and also provided technical intervention in the monitoring and assessment of the incident.

Briguera, however, said that the bureau sees no shortage of fish on a national scale despite the oil leak.

"The limited supply of fish is really possible in the localities of the affected areas because of the fishing ban implemented by the local government unit," he said.

Briguera also assured the public that the supply and price of fish in Metro Manila remain stable.

According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development, around 150,000 individuals from nine municipalities, including Naujan, Pola, Pinamalayan, Basud, Gloria, Roxas, Mansalay, Bongabong, Bulalacao in Oriental Mindoro, have been heavily affected by the oil spill.

The oil spill has also reached Liwagao Island in Antique, Agutaya in Palawan, and the Verde Island Passage which is regarded by experts as the "center of the center of marine shore fish biodiversity" in the world.

WITH REPORTS FROM JANINA ALEXIS MIGUEL

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Today's Paper. Sign In. Click Here. Follow us. Watch Now. Subscribe. Sign In. Click Here. OPINION. NEWS. REGIONS. WORLD. BUSINESS. SPORTS. ENTERTAINMENT. LIFESTYLE. THE SUNDAY TIMES. SPECIAL FEATURES. SPECIAL SECTIONS. PUBLIC SQUARE. LEGAL ADVICE. FAST TIMES. CAMPUS PRESS. VIDEOS. EXPATS & DIPLOMATS. PHOTOS. PODCASTS. GAMES. BUSINESS FORUM. RESOURCES. MARKET OVERVIEW. EXAM RESULTS. WEATHER. TMT CSI. TMT DIGITAL EDITION. TMT TV. TMT 124TH ANNIVERSARY. more. OPINION. NEWS. REGIONS. WORLD. BUSINESS. SPORTS. ENTERTAINMENT. LIFESTYLE. THE SUNDAY TIMES. SPECIAL FEATURES. SPECIAL SECTIONS. PUBLIC SQUARE. LEGAL ADVICE. FAST TIMES. CAMPUS PRESS. VIDEOS. EXPATS & DIPLOMATS. PHOTOS. PODCASTS. GAMES. BUSINESS FORUM. RESOURCES. MARKET OVERVIEW. EXAM RESULTS. WEATHER. TMT CSI. TMT DIGITAL EDITION. TMT TV. TMT 124TH ANNIVERSARY. OPINION. NEWS. REGIONS. WORLD. BUSINESS. SPORTS. ENTERTAINMENT. LIFESTYLE. THE SUNDAY TIMES. SPECIAL FEATURES. SPECIAL SECTIONS. PUBLIC SQUARE. LEGAL ADVICE. FAST TIMES. CAMPUS PRESS. VIDEOS. EXPATS & DIPLOMATS. PHOTOS. PODCASTS. GAMES. BUSINESS FORUM. RESOURCES. MARKET OVERVIEW. EXAM RESULTS. WEATHER. TMT CSI. TMT DIGITAL EDITION. TMT TV. TMT 124TH ANNIVERSARY. News. Regions. Vic Manuel credits Gallent, teammates for newfound confidence. By Ire Joe Laurente. Read this in The Manila Times digital edition. CALAPAN CITY: A resolution has been filed at the House of Representatives calling for an investigation in aid of legislation of the possible violations of marine safety laws and marine environmental laws in relation to the sinking of an oil tanker in Oriental Mindoro on Feb. 28, 2023. The oil spill from the sunken vessel has affected four provinces that straddle the Verde Island Passage, known for its rich marine biodiversity. In a post on his social media page, First District Rep. Arnan Panaligan said that he filed House Resolution 854 on March 13, 2023. The lawmaker said he called for the inquiry because the oil spill is threatening the lives and livelihood not only of the people of Oriental Mindoro but also the provinces of Palawan and Batangas and some parts of Visayas. "The oil spill has reached the waters near Taytay, Cuyo and Coron Islands in the northern part of Palawan and some areas of Panay, every day that the oil spills from the sunken tanker means that wider areas of our fragile marine ecosystem will be devastated if left uncontrolled or unmanaged, the famous white sand beaches in Boracay in the Western Visayas may also be in danger depending on the changes in the flow of the current," Panaligan said in his resolution. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy. According to the projection of the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UPMSI), the oil spill could advance to the Verde Island Passage and some coastal areas in the province of Batangas with the weakening of the northeast monsoon (amihan) and the northward track of the sea current. Panaligan said that the oil spill is no longer a local concern but of national interest considering its adverse impact on food security. The Philippine Statistics Authority citing that Oriental Mindoro and Palawan contributes 59,895.53 metric tons to regional fish production. "The owner of MT Princess Empress, RDC Reield Marine Services (RDC) has the primary obligation and liability in this environmental disaster, therefore, RDC should be compelled to carry out the immediate cleanup and rehabilitation of the waters and coastal areas ravaged by the pollution," Panaligan said. In a text message to The Manila Times on Monday, March 20, Panaligan said that the resolution was filed before the House Committee on Rules and the committee is already looking for resource persons for the inquiry. P5M daily loss. Meanwhile, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) chief information officer Nazario Briguera said in a press briefing on Monday that fisherfolk in Oriental Mindoro and nearby islands lose an estimated amount of P5 million per day due to the oil spill. Based on the bureau's registry, there are 19,000 affected fisherfolk whose livelihood was put on hold because of the oil slick. "We estimate that P5 million is lost everyday as fisherfolk lose their livelihood while fishing farms are closed," Briguera said. Fishing has been banned in areas affected by the oil spill. According to Briguera, the BFAR gave P1.5 million in aid to the communities affected by the oil spill and also provided technical intervention in the monitoring and assessment of the incident. Briguera, however, said that the bureau sees no shortage of fish on a national scale despite the oil leak. "The limited supply of fish is really possible in the localities of the affected areas because of the fishing ban implemented by the local government unit," he said. Briguera also assured the public that the supply and price of fish in Metro Manila remain stable. According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development, around 150,000 individuals from nine municipalities, including Naujan, Pola, Pinamalayan, Basud, Gloria, Roxas, Mansalay, Bongabong, Bulalacao in Oriental Mindoro, have been heavily affected by the oil spill. The oil spill has also reached Liwagao Island in Antique, Agutaya in Palawan, and the Verde Island Passage which is regarded by experts as the "center of the center of marine shore fish biodiversity" in the world. WITH REPORTS FROM JANINA ALEXIS MIGUEL. SUBSCRIBE NOW. LOGIN HERE. News. Nation. Regions. World. Sports. Entertainment. Lifestyle. The Sunday Times. Opinion. Editorial. Editorial Cartoon. OP-ED Columns. From our Readers. Legal Advice. Business. Top Business. Corporate News. Foreign Business. Sunday Business & IT. Special Sections. Special Features. Public Square. Videos. Podcasts. Market Overview. Weather. Exam Results. The Manila Times. Home Delivery Subscription. Subscribe to our Digital Edition. The Manila Times College. The Manila Times TV. The Manila Times Forum. The Manila Times Coffee Break. The Manila Times L!ve App Channel. Twitter. Youtube. Facebook. Instagram. DailyMotion. Spotify. Subscribe Now. Advertise. Contact Us. About Us. Privacy Policy. Read More.