Mass evacuation up in two Guimaras brgys?
Mass evacuation is reportedly underway in at least two barangays in the Province of Guimaras following an Executive Session with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. As such, hundreds of families will be ordered out of their homes with Army soldiers in the island-province said to implement the forced evacuation starting today (Wednesday).
A report from the Department of Health (DOH) said children, elderly folk and pregnant women would be given priority in the evacuation as health officials reported that toxic fumes at oil-smeared beaches have risen to alarming levels.
Initial ambient monitoring by the DOH showed that potentially toxic organic components from two study areas in Guimaras were beyond the minimum risk levels for humans.
The report said, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III stated that the DOH "shall be recommending the relocation of children, elderly, and pregnant women from the oil spill-contaminated area if repeated ambient air monitoring continues to be poor, which may significantly affect their health condition."
"Those with preexisting conditions such as respiratory, cardiac, kidney or neurological disorders, among others are also at risk," he added.
"Many chemicals in bunker oil are potentially toxic and therefore we must constantly monitor the affected communities. Health effects are also wide and can be acute and mild as skin irritation to something chronic and severe like cancers and leukemia," Duque said.
The News Today (TNT) gathered that at risk are the locals particularly in the barangays of Cabalagnan and Lapaz in the Municipality of Nueva Valencia. The President and health officials were reportedly irked over the cases of skin irritations, respiratory and gastro-intestinal problems with one top official lamenting the fact that Governor Rahman Nava or his men failed to restrict entry in the oil spill-hit areas.
No immediate confirmation was made on the order for evacuation however insiders in the Guimaras Capitol said "they (top provincial officials) are bracing for expected complaints and resistance."
Major Lyndon Sollesta who brought in over 150 Army soldiers was reached for comment however no response was reached as of press time. In an earlier interview though, Major Sollesta said the soldiers were brought in for the clean-up job particularly to assist in the production of oil spill booms.
Yet another barangay, Barangay San Roque was included in the reported evacuation though validation continues on the extent of damage and effect the oil spill has in the community.
The evacuees are supposed to be relocated to Barangay Salvacion. No further details were readily available.
Meanwhile, the declaration made by Petron Corp. that three barangays in Nueva Valencia are already "cleared of oil spill" was faced with objection as the alleged evaluation report was not affirmed by different government agencies included in the Task Force Guimaras.
Residents of Barangay Canhawan and Igdarapdap in Nueva Valencia expressed disbelief on the evaluation rendered by Petron. Last Tuesday, Petron in a press briefing also cleared Barangay Dolores also in Nueva Valencia as free from oil slick.
Edwin Geonanga of Igdarapdap said the presence of industrial fuel oil in the mangrove areas is still visible. He also said the clean-up drive in their barangays was forcibly stopped by Petron.
Another resident from Canhawan who asked for anonymity questioned the Petron's report saying how Petron could clear their barangay of the oil slick since the MT Solar I has yet to be salvaged from the site where it sank. In Canhawan, residents still prepare oil spill booms. They fear that the oil continues to leak from the vessel's compartment.
Residents also suspect that the bunker oil has already penetrated the bottom of the sea and could create more effects on the environment and their health. The traces of oil slick could already be seen in the shoreline but its effect left on the ground has yet to be determined by experts.
Philippine Coast Guard chief Vice Admiral Arturo Gosingan said it is the Coast Guard that should declare on whether the area is already cleared or clean of the oil spill and not Petron.
He said there will be water and sediment test. The result of the test will pave way for the declaration that indeed such barangay is already cleared or cleaned of the oil spill.
The Coast Guard's explanation was also affirmed by the Department of Science and Technology. The department was tasked to conduct a water analysis on the affected areas. This is to make sure the oil spill could not create additional effect on the resident's particularly on their drinking water.
While, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Regional Executive Director Julian Amador also failed to give an approval on Petron's report. The environment is tasked to oversee the environmental aspect which includes the effects and damage caused by the oil spill in the coastline, mangrove areas and even seaweed farms.
On the part of Petron, Malou Erni, executive director of the Petron Foundation said they declared Barangay Canhawan, Igdarapdap and Dolores all in Nueva Valencia based on their assessment on the shoreline which is hardest hit by the oil spill.
Erni admitted that their declaration was not affirmed by three other agencies which include the Philippine Coast Guard, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Department of Health.
However, their declaration does not mean that they will leave the area. She said they will continuously monitor the area as they have team leaders in the affected areas which are required to give updates. The team leaders are also tasked to get in touch with the local government unit concerned.
In a presscon called by Petron Tuesday, Nicasio Alcantara, Petron's CEO and Chairman of the Board vowed to clean up the oil spill which already affected 27 barangays out of the 40 barangays in Guimaras.
The oil spill has also affected 3,357 families in the towns of Nueva Valencia, Sibunag and San Lorenzo. It has also affected 220 kilometers of shoreline, 454 hectares of mangroves and 58 hectares of seaweed farms.
Alcantara said they are doing everything humanly possible to assist the affected residents. Petron has also coordinated with the environmental experts from University of the Philippines in Visayas, Siliman University and World Wildlife Fund to develop a long term rehabilitation program.
Out of the 220 kilometers of affected shoreline, Petron said they have already cleared 80 kilometers. They expect to finish the clean-up drive in 30-45 days. The giant oil company recently increased the workers salary from P200 to P300.
The Petron's CEO said they are committed to the solution of the problem brought about by the oil spill. The company has also no plans to fool the people. "Wala kaming planong manloko sa inyo," he said.