THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Thursday began scooping oil from a ship that ran aground off Mariveles town in Bataan on Wednesday.
The oil recovered from the MV Mirola 1 will be taken to a waste disposal facility, the PCG said.
The PCG also flew a drone to survey the shoreline near where the Mirola 1 ran aground.
It also noted minimal oil sheens and a light smell of diesel oil in the area around the vessel.
A PCG team collected water samples for analysis.
The Mirola 1 has two tankers filled with diesel oil.
It is the third vessel to run into trouble in the waters of Bataan, where MT Terra Nova and MKTR Jason Bradley sank in the past week.
The motor tanker that will drain the oil from the Jason Bradley arrived but the siphoning will start at night time, according to Lieutenant Commander Michael John Encina, PCG Central Luzon spokesman.
The PCG also said the valves of the Terra Nova need to be reinforced before the contracted salvor Harbor Star Shipping could safely siphon out the fuel cargo.
Earlier, divers of Harbor Star were able to seal the 24 valves.
Encina said metal caps were made to reinforce the valves, which were initially covered by canvas bags.
The seals will not completely stop the oil from leaking, but would reduce the flow.
Encina said the submerged vessel is subject to pressure, and installing the metal caps would make it more durable during its siphoning.
The PCG has sent BRP Boracay and BRP Malamawi to assist the Bataan local government and other government agencies in conducting a survey where they observed minimal oil sheens/oil slicks.
The Terra Nova was carrying 1.4 million liters of oil when it sank off Lamao Point, Limay, Bataan last July 25.
Oil has been reported in parts of Cavite, Bulacan and Metro Manila.
The PCG said tests are needed to confirm if oil came from the Terranova or from other ships.
The University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UPMSI) has done water sampling in Pasay City, Cavite, Bulacan, and Bataan.
The oil spill from the Terranova threatens the livelihood of over 11,000 fisherfolk and poses significant environmental risks.
Nicasio Aranas Conti, former administrator of the Maritime Industry Authority, said the Bataan oil spill “is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities our coastal communities face.”
“We must act swiftly and decisively to protect our environment and support those whose livelihoods are at risk. This is not just a government responsibility. We need the combined efforts of the private sector, nongovernment organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), environmental groups, and development agencies to address the immediate and long-term impacts of this disaster,” Conti said.
Conti said the PCG and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources are at the forefront of the containment and cleanup operations.
“However, the scale of this disaster requires more resources and collective action. We urge the private sector to provide financial and logistical support, and for NGOs and CSOs to mobilize community-based efforts to assist in the cleanup and provide relief to affected fisherfolk,” he said.
Conti said potential income losses in the fishing communities of Bataan, Bulacan, and Pampanga are substantial, with P83.8 million per month for Bataan alone.
Environmental groups and scientific organizations “are essential in assessing the long-term impact of the spill and implementing restoration projects,” he said.
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