As 3rd tanker sinks, leaks off Bataan
NOVELETA, Cavite—The local government of Cavite declared a state of calamity in coastal towns as the oil spill from the sunken MT Terra Nova reached the province’s coast.
Affected municipalities are Bacoor, Kawit, Noveleta, Rosario, Tanza, Naic, Maragondon, and Ternate, Gov. Jonvic Remulla said.
This developed as law enforcement agencies found a third vessel that has been leaking potentially environmentally harmful material off the coast of Bataan, according to a report on GMA-7’s Balitanghali.
The motorized vessel MV Mirola 1 ran aground near the shores of Mariveles and was found tilted to its side.
According to the National Bureau of Investigation, no crew member was found on board the grounded vessel.
Days after the MT Terra Nova incident, a second tanker also sank nearby.
The motorized tanker “Jason Bradley” sank in the vicinity of Barangay Cabcaben in Mariveles, Bulacan.
Coast Guard divers said the 39-meter motor tanker was loaded with “diesel cargo” of unknown quantity.
MT Terra Nova, which was carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel, sank off Limay, Bataan on July 25, 2024.
According to the Philippine Coast Guard, the oil slick is moving south-southeast to Cavite and Batangas.
Cavite also declared a no-catch zone for all shellfish, Remulla said, adding that relief goods will be distributed to some 25,000 affected fishermen in the province.
Divers working on the sunken motor tanker continued to work on sealing 24 valves that were found to be leaking oil.
In a situation update on Wednesday, the Philippine Coast Guard said the operation was done by divers of Harbor Star Shipping Services Inc. — the contracted salvor for the sunken tanker.
The PCG deployed BRP Boracay and BRP Malawi to help Bataan Governor Jose Enrique Garcia III and other government officials in an after-sea survey.
The survey found minimal oil sheens or oil slicks in the vicinity waters of Bataan.
On the other hand, the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UPMSI) conducted water sampling activities at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City, Cavite, Bulacan, and Bataan to check for oil levels in these coastal waters.
Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government is asking barber shops, hair salons and other establishments to donate cut hair and coconut husks that can be used to contain the oil spill from MT Terra Nova.
The said materials will be formed into oil booms, the department said.
“Every contribution counts and will help in resolving this crisis quickly,” DILG-Bataan said.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline Cavite provincial government declares ‘No-Catch-Zone’ in oil spill affected areas
