Guimarasnons remember oil spill first anniversary
Guimarasnons commemorating the first anniversary of the massive oil spill that ravaged their island and forever changed their lives will treat guests to sea food in a day long program today, Friday, at the provincial capitol at the capital town of Jordan.
Charry Galia, provincial economic and development officer, said the seafood feast is part of their efforts to show that sea food from Guimaras is already safe to eat.
"We continue to enjoy the bounties of our seas despite the tragedy that struck us last year," said Galia.
A Mass will be celebrated by Fr. Noel Lozada, parish priest of the San Miguel de Archangel parish, before the start of the program which is expected to be attended by representatives of local government units.
Guests will be updated with a situationer of the island and the current rehabilitation and rebuilding efforts done by various agencies and organizations.
Photographs of the oil spill, response and cleanup efforts and other events will also be exhibited at the provincial museum, said Galia.
On August 11, the day of the anniversary, members of the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council and representatives of the member agencies will attend Mass to be celebrated on board the Coast Guard ship BRP Edsa 2 at the site where the tanker sank around 13 nautical miles southwest of Guimaras. The Mass will be followed by a wreath laying.
The M/T Solar I sank 13 miles southwest of Guimaras on August 11 last year. The tanker was transporting 2.1 million liters of bunker fuel from the Petron depot in Bataan to Zamboanga when it encountered rough seas.