PGMA dissolves oil spill task force
President Macapagal-Arroyo has dissolved the regional task force on the Solar I oil spill.
Outgoing Presidential Adviser for Western Visayas Rafael Coscolluela said the President has issued Administrative Order 191 which abolishes the Task Force Solar I Oil Spill (TF SOS) to streamline procedures related to the implementation of rehabilitation programs for areas affected by last years massive oil spill in Guimaras.
The order also authorizes the National Disaster Coordinating Council to review and approve the rehabilitation proposals of various agencies and to oversee the utilization of calamity funds for the rehabilitation of Guimaras. The Western Visayas of the Office of Civil Defense will act as the secretariat, according to Coscolluela.
Coscolluela said the order was also issued because of his inability to continue his function as task force head when he will assume his new post as administrator of the Philippine Sugar Administration effective next month.
The TF SOS was formed shortly after the August 11, 2006 sinking of the Solar I off the coast of Guimaras which triggered the country's worst environmental disaster.
The task force is composed of various government agencies mostly involved in disaster response and management.
These include the Office of Civil Defense, Philippine National Police, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Philippine Coast Guard.
OCD regional director Rosario Cabrera said they have not received a copy of the order but said that the monitoring and implementation of the rehabilitation programs and alternative livelihood projects will be handled by the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council which is composed of almost all of the members of the TF SOS.