PREVENTIVE MEASURE. The Philippine Coast Guard installs an oil spill boom at the floodgates of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority in Barangay Tanza Uno, Navotas City on Wednesday (July 31, 2024). The oil spill from M/T Terra Nova has not yet reached the shores of Metro Manila since its sinking off Limay town, Bataan province six days ago. (PNA photo by Joan Bondoc)
The Bataan oil spill caused by the sunken oil tanker MT Terra Nova may under control or manageable but its environmental threats remain.
Professor Hernando Bacosa, a Department of Science and Technology lead researcher, said he is confident it’s under control, but still there are threats. “Hopefully in the next seven to 10 days the oil could be siphoned off,” he added.
The sunken oil tanker which is 30 meters underwater, carried 1.5 million liters of industrial oil, but Bacosa said less than 100,000 liters have leaked. The tanker is in a much shallower deep compared to the MT Princess Empress that caused the Mindoro oil spill last year which was 400 meters underwater.
Bacosa stressed, however, that while the Bataan oil spill is under control, the threats remain since the tanker is still there, and the “threats to environment remain as long as the oil is not siphoned off.”
Industrial oil could affect phytoplankton that shrimps and fishes eat. Another threat is when the oil reaches the shores, creating a foul smell that could affect breathing and the lungs of people.
Bacosa also said the public should take precautions against getting in contact and smelling the oil. “Use gloves and avoid inhaling the oil as this could cause dizziness,” he advised.
