The Provincial Government of Oriental Mindoro declared a state of calamity for nine months in over 76 coastal barangays affected by the oil spill.
The oil spill was caused by the sunken MT Princess Empress vessel carrying 800,000 liters of industrial fuel oil on Feb. 28.
Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito Dolor announced on Tuesday, that the provincial council approved his request to place the coastal barangays in the towns of Naujan, Pola, Gloria, Pinamalayan, Bansud, Bongabong, Roxas, Mansalay, and Bulalacao in Oriental Mindoro in a state of calamity.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources announced on Monday that they detected the possible location of the vessel to stop the further spread of the oil that sank off on Feb. 28.
A part of the seashore in Caluya, Antique was also seen covered with black oil.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) District of Western Visayas continued to conduct shoreline cleanup operations, while the participation of the local government unit in Sitio Sabang in Brgy. Tinogbog collected eight drums of oily waste on Tuesday.
Operations were halted due to health concerns, while authorities continued to monitor a potential oil spill on Boracay Island and in the town of Magsaysay, Occidental Mindoro.
The Oriental Mindoro Department of Health already conducted an on-site inspection and evaluation to provide medical assistance and distribute medicines and protective equipment to the affected residents. KC – gb