Oil, grease found in Puerto Galera waters

MANILA, Philippines — The waters in 26 areas in Puerto Galera did not pass the quality guidelines set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) following tests conducted as the oil spill from the sunken tanker Princess Empress reached the town.

The DENR said only nine of the 35 sampling stations met the criteria for water quality on oil and grease.

These are the shorelines in Small Lalaguna and Big Lalaguna, Balete, Central Sabang, Coco Beach, Batangasa Channel, Paniquian, Balatero and West San Isidro Bay.

“Based on our data, even before the oil spill, the water quality in Puerto Galera was poor. The data we have are not conclusive, whether the contamination is really due to the oil spill,” DENR Undersecretary Jonas Leones said.

He said it is up to the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Tourism whether to implement a fishing ban and prohibit tourism activities, respectively, in Puerto Galera.

“The visual appearance of the water does not necessarily mean fish in the area can be consumed or it is safe for swimming,” Leones said.

In a joint statement, the DENR and DOH warned the public to avoid exposure to contaminants.

”Based on safety and health measures, occupational and recreational activities should not be allowed in these bodies of water,” DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire told a press briefing yesterday. ”We are coming out with this advisory to warn people as these might cause harmful effects to your body.”

In a statement, the DOH advised the public to avoid consumption of contaminated fish, shellfish and other seafood.

”Subsequent monitoring of water quality in the area and other nearby water sources should be undertaken by concerned local government units and water service providers,” the DOH added.

The department warned the public that contaminants may cause various skin diseases.

”Oil and grease may also result in aspiration leading to respiratory diseases while ingestion will cause gastrointestinal irritations which may manifest acutely as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea,” the DOH said.

‘Leakage contained within the month’

DENR Secretary Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga expressed hope that the oil spill can be contained within the month.

”At this point let’s take a look. Hopefully within the month or so the leakage will be contained definitely and we will actually be able to say what kind of damage has been incurred in the ecosystems that are submerged in the water,” Loyzaga said.

She said there are some ecosystems that may be impacted by the oil spill and there is a need to go into the water to see whether corals have been affected.

Princess Empress was carrying 800,000 liters of industrial oil when it sank in the waters off Naujan town on Feb. 28.

Damage to the fishery sector and income loss reached nearly P1 billion, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said over the weekend.

President Marcos had earlier said there is no deadline for the cleanup of the oil spill as timelines may be changed by weather conditions.

The Philippine Coast Guard said up to 4.155 kilometers of the affected shoreline have been cleaned up. – Alexis Romero, Rhodina Villanueva, Robertzon Ramirez