By Gabriela Baron
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) assured it is “closely monitoring” the impact of the reported oil spill in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro waters.
In a statement released Tuesday, Feb. 28, DENR said it immediately instructed its regional personnel to access the site.
“We are monitoring the site in relation to the potential marine biodiversity impacts and the possible risk to lives and livelihoods in the area due to the direction of the current and distance from the shoreline which may be affected,” DENR said.
Motor tanker MT Princess Empress sank off the waters of Balingawan Point in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro Monday morning, Feb. 27.
It was reportedly carrying approximately 800,000 liters of industrial fuel.
The Environment department said it is continuously coordinating with the local government of Naujan and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
PCG already mobilized oil spill response organizations to support the PCG operations. -ag
