President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has established an inter-agency task force to quickly address the potential effects of the oil spill from the Motor Tanker Terra Nova, which sank near Limay, Bataan.
Led by the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD), the task force includes the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The DENR and DOH will conduct water and air quality tests, while the DOH will monitor residents’ health.
Additionally, the PCG will assess the tanker, as the DILG will coordinate with local governments.
DOLE will implement livelihood programs, while the DSWD will aid affected residents.
The President also stressed the urgent need to address the issue by using indigenous materials to absorb the oil.
“Let’s simulate it because no matter what happens, we will really need the commercial booms, whatever we can get, let’s get it. Others will make offers, but it’s not going to be enough,” Mr. Marcos said.
“Let’s get ready for the time when we have to deploy them. Actually, we should already be deploying them,” he added.
The President also emphasized the importance of collaborating with Oriental Mindoro Gov. Bonz Dolor to leverage his experience from last year’s oil spill response in the province. Non-governmental organizations are also expected to play a role in addressing the problem.
The PCG reported the tanker was carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel when it sank off Lamao Point in Limay on Thursday.
