Mindoro mayor unconvinced Pola is oil-free

MANILA, Philippines — Mayor Jennifer Cruz of Pola, Oriental Mindoro yesterday expressed doubt on the claim of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) that the town is now totally free from the industrial oil spilled by the sunken motor tanker Princess Empress.

Cruz said the PCG asked her to sign a document certifying that the town is now oil-free after three months of clean-up operations.

She said she needed to consult first with barangay officials to validate the claim of the PCG.

“I have yet to sign the document given by the Coast Guard certifying that Pola is 100 percent cleared of oil,” Cruz said.

The PCG has announced the completion of the oil spill removal and recovery operations in the waters off nearby Naujan town, where the Empress sank in February.

“I asked the Coast Guard to leave the document while I am clearing it up with barangay officials. The cleanup of our mangroves is not yet complete,” Cruz said.

The Malayan Towage and Salvage Corp. (MTSC) earlier assured the PCG that the oil spill cleanup has been completed.

The MTSC showed the PCG eight tanks filled with industrial fuel that it supposedly removed or recovered from the sea as well as the Empress’ operational tank with no traces of oil.

“According to the Coast Guard, the oil has spread into the water, and we should monitor if it could still reach the shore. That’s the time that I will decide to sign the document provided by the Coast Guard,” Cruz said

She said she was waiting for a certification from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) recommending the lifting of the fishing ban in Pola.

“The BFAR and the DENR have yet to give the results. Unless they announce that Pola is safe from oil and grease, I cannot allow fishing and swimming to resume,” the mayor said.

Cruz said she directed the residents to continue the cleanup in their respective areas.

“Until now, the residents themselves are doing the cleanup. It has been a month since they assumed the task. The PCG is there to monitor the situation,” she said.