Temporary depository of oil sludge off limits to locals
Residents of Barangay Cabalagnan in Nueva Valencia were among those who were evacuated the other day as toxicity level of fumes coming from drums of collected oil sludge dumped along the shoreline increased.
Recent report of evacuation showed that 41 families from Barangay Cabalagnan and 100 families from Barangay Lapaz also in Nueva Valencia were already evacuated. Residents of affected barangays were evacuated and told to observe the 100 meter-radius limit. Evacuees were housed in the nearest elementary school.
Though an evacuation is already in effect, the clean up operation is still ongoing. Clean-up workers are strictly ordered to wear gloves, goggles and boots. Army personnel were also dispatched in the affected areas to protect the properties of the residents and same time prevent them from coming back to their houses.
Earlier, Petron eyed Barangay Cabalagnan as the temporary depository site of the oil sludge while waiting for the arrival of the landing craft to keep the bunker fuel as well as the debris.
Carlos Tan, Petron’s Health and Safety Manager said Cabalagnan is the most ideal site where the barge could dock. It has a wharf to accommodate the landing craft. The area is like a cove and could shield the vessel from any weather disturbance which could further affect the area once the collected oil sludge leaks into the water.
Tan said they are considering two options to transform the collected oil sludge into a reusable material. He said the HOLCIM cement factory in Iligan City has already expressed their intention to buy the oil sludge.
The sludge could be used as an alternate fuel in cement making. It can take the place of coal in making cement, said Tan.
Another option the company is subjecting the collected oil sludge into bioremediation. In bioremediation, bacteria enzymes are infused on the oil sludge and only clean water is left after the process, said Tan.
Petron reported earlier that as of August 27 their clean up operations covered 67 kilometers of coastline, collecting 516 metric tons of oil and debris.