Militants to mobilize Guimaras folk to push for re-floating of sunken tanker
While the National Disaster Cordinating Council (NDCC) recommended for the siphoning of the remaining bunker oil from the sunken MT Solar 1, militant groups have formed an alliance to push for the retrieval of the vessel which lies 640 meters below sea level off Guimaras island.
Save Our Lives (SOS) Panay and Guimaras vowed to strongly demand for the re-floating of the sunken tanker as it will remain a threat to the people and environment if not removed.
Geobelyn Lopez, convenor of SOS Panay-Guimaras said they will mobilize the people of Guimaras in the coming days to force the issue on retrieving the sunken vessel.
Lopez observed the island is not only besieged with problems brought by the oil spill but also by politicians and opportunists who find the disaster an avenue to make money. The relief operations and the "cash for work" are also tainted with controversy because of favoritism.
SOS Panay-Guimaras is composed of non-government organizations, scientists, women and militant groups.
Lopez said the group will likewise strengthen their advocacy relative to the Guimaras oil spill issue. "There's a possibility that the people's voices will not be heard if they are not helped as there are already efforts to cover up the issue," she added.
Lopez said they have already the blessings of Gov. Rahman Nava to mobilize the Guimaras folk especially those directly affected by the oil spill disaster.
She said they will do everything, from staging street rallies and countless meetings with the residents to dramatize their demands.
Meanwhile, Dr. Giovanni Tapang of the Samahan ng Nagtataguyod ng Agham at Teknolohiya Para sa Sambayanan said they are not amenable with the recommendation of the government to only siphon the remaining bunker fuel from the tanker.
Tapang said they should refloat the vessel as well as the remaining bunker fuel. "It is too risky their pipes might rupture because of the water pressure. There are already available technologies to re-float the vessel and its bunker fuel, said Tapang.
"The availability of the technology to deal with the problem is available but the issue here is the 'sincerity' on the part of the government and Petron Corporation," said Tapang.