Tolentino: Mindoro oil spill endangers diverse marine ecosystem, peoples’ lives

Tolentino: Mindoro oil spill endangers diverse marine ecosystem, peoples’ lives
Mario Casayuran March 7, 2023 https://mb.com.ph/2023/03/07/tolentino-mindoro-oil-spill-endangers-diver...

Senator Francis “Tol” Tolentino has raised alarm over the recent maritime incident which threatened to affect the ecosystem of the country.

“While we are seeking accountability, our efforts in the meantime should be focused on the containment of the oil spill to prevent it from causing further irreversible damage to our marine ecosystem. Next should be the recovery,” Tolentino said during the Senate plenary session on Monday night, March 6.

He was referring to MT Princess Empress, which sank off Oriental Mindoro last February 28. It carried 800,000 liters industrial fuel oil that spread over 24 square kilometers and may reach Boracay Island.

“It has already affected more than 10,000 families,” he pointed out.

“The current oil spill trajectory model by marine experts projected that approximately 20,000 hectares of coral reef, 9,900 hectares of mangroves, 6,000 hectares of seagrass may be affected and the oil spill may also potentially reach as far as the shores of Palawan,” Tolentino said in a privilege speech.

He stressed that the Maritime Industry Authority is mandated to undertake the safety regulatory functions pertaining to vessel operations, while the Philippine Coast Guard is mandated to enforce all maritime laws.

“Today, 18,000 fishermen lost their livelihood. If we fail to contain the oil spill, it will affect thousands more. But, just as we have done again and again, we will rise as a nation and face this tragedy as one,” he added.

Last March 3, 2023, the country celebrated World Wildlife Day. It is a United Nations International day to celebrate all the world’s wild animals and plants and the contribution that they make to our lives and the health of the planet.

However, as we celebrated the World Wildlife Day, our maritime commercial activities threatened and may likely cause tragedy to global marine diversity, Tolentino said.

In the past month, the Philippines has been riddled with maritime incidents. He cited the following:

– On February 10 of this year, LCT Pacifica 1, a cargo ship, capsized off Surigao del Norte while traversing the waters between Hinatuan Island and Bucas Grande Island. According to the Philippine Coast Guard, it was slammed by big waves about three meters high, and the waters then entered the engine room of the vessel which caused an engine trouble. The Philippine Coast Guard is still assessing the situation as to whether it would cause an oil spill.

– On February 27, MV Manfel Carrier V, a bulk carrier vessel, ran aground Lubang Island, Occidental Mindoro. According to the Philippine Coast Guard, it departed from Subic, Zambales, going to Bauan, Batangas, when it encountered engine trouble while traversing the vicinity waters off Fortune Island. It was hit by large waves which caused it to drift towards Lubang and ran aground. The incident caused damage to the coral reefs.

– On February 28 of this year likewise, Mr. President, MV Starlite Saturn, a roll-on roll-off vessel, ran aground in the shallow waters of Bohol. According to the Philippine Coast Guard, the vessel ran aground at the Danajon Bank. A while ago, the wife of former Governor Chatto was here. Calituban, and Talibon in Bohol while en route to Pier 5 in Cebu City from a port in Surigao. The incident caused damage to the reefs.

Earlier that day, February 28, MT Princess Empress, an oil tanker, sank off Oriental Mindoro with her 800,000 litres industrial fuel oil cargo.

According to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), initial investigation revealed that the distressed motor tanker encountered engine trouble, trouble causing due to overheating. It then drifted towards the vicinity waters off Balingawan Point due to rough sea conditions until it submerged.

After MT Princess Empress sank, an oil slick emerged, which has now spread over 24 square kilometers.

According to the DENR, within the 40-kilometer radius from the epicenter is home of approximately 591 hectares of coral reefs, 1,626 hectares of mangroves and 362 hectares of seagrass/seaweeds. There are also 21 locally managed marine protected areas (LMMPAs) located in the city of Calapan (4), towns of Naujan (3), Pola (7), Pinamalayan (4), and Gloria (2) in Oriental Mindoro Province and the town of Gasan (1) in Marinduque Province.

It has already affected nine towns in Oriental Mindoro, these are: Naujan, Pola, Pinamalayan, Gloria, Basud, Bongabong, Roxas, Mansalay and Bulacacao. It was also reported that it has now reached the province of Antique.

An oil spill of this magnitude was last experienced in 2006 when M/T Solar 1 sank off the coast of Guimaras, which carried 2.1 million liters of bunker fuel. It affected 1,500 hectares of the local ecosystem comprised of mangroves, seagrass, and coral reefs. It ended the livelihood of 20,000 fishermen, and required a long period of rehabilitation.

The current oil spill trajectory model by marine experts projected that approximately 20,000 hectares of coral reef, 9,900 hectares of mangroves, 6,000 hectares of seagrass may be affected, and the oil spill may also potentially reach as far as the shores of Palawan. This is more far reaching than the damage caused by M/T Solar 1.

Tolentino emphasized that under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), ‘’we have the obligation to protect and preserve the marine environment, and enact measures and deal with all sources to prevent, reduce and control pollution of the marine environment.

These maritime incidents could have been prevented, he stressed.

Under Executive Order No. 125, as amended, MARINA is mandated to undertake the safety regulatory functions pertaining to vessel operations.

Under Republic Act No. 9993, or the Philippines Coast Guard Law of 2009, the Philippine Coast Guard is mandated to enforce all maritime laws.

“The question Mr. (Senate) President is: were LCT Pacifica 1, MV Manfel Carrier V, MV Starlite Saturn, and MT Princess Empress found to be seaworthy by the regulatory agencies?” Tolentino asked.

“The oil spill is occurring in a major fishing areas, and is spreading to pristine fishing breading grounds. It threatens Verde Island Passage, one of the country’s richest areas of biodiversity. And might even reach the world-famous Boracay,” he said.

Tolentino, a lawyer, said that “our laws is not poor when it comes to oil pollution.”

He said Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista has asked Japan for help in a bid to reduce the oil spill.

“As we have experienced in the Guimaras oil spill, recovery and rehabilitation will be extensive. It will affect not just the marine ecosystem but also those who depends on it. Those who will be primarily affected will be the fishermen and their families. Today, 18,000 fishermen lost their livelihood. If we fail to contain the oil spill, it will affect thousands more,” he added.