More damage feared as calls for support up in Antique oil spill clean-up
A month into the massive oil spill of bunker fuel in the Province of Antique, government agencies have now joined hands to effect bigger and faster clean-up drive. This, as damage is feared to have widened and ill-effects to both the environment, local resources and health of the populace may have been placed at greater risk.
The News Today gathered continued drive, now headed by the Philippine Coast Guard, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the National Power Corporation (NPC), is being made to clear the affected area of oil residues.
Focus of the clean-up is along Semirara Island of Caluya, Antique, the area hit by the oil spill in December last year. About 200,000 liters of bunker fuel were believed to have spilled, which was part of the 900,000 liters of load.
Among those damaged was over a hundred hectares in mangrove reforestation area, about 134 hectares in reforested area in Semirara, forty square kilometer of marine area and five kilometer off-shore.
In a month's time, fish kill was immediately noted however no clear estimates were released on the extent of damage.
To date, NPC brought in about 400 men to augment the present clean-up force mostly composed of locals.
One resident who helped by the shoreline said the oil spill was knee deep.
Residents decry the apparent slowness of the clean-up marked by the lack of additional logistical support from the local government unit officials concerned.