By Christine Fabro
Latest bulletin from University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UP MSI) on Thursday, March 16, showed that oil slicks were sighted at the coasts of Calapan, Oriental Mindoro along the Verde Island Passage.
According to the UP MSI, the oil slick caused by the sunken oil tanker MT Princess Empress may reach other areas of the Verde Island Passage as the northeast monsoon or “amihan” weakens.
“Due to the weakening Amihan, some of the oil may flow northwards towards other areas of the Verde Island Passage by March 16, affecting coastal areas of Calapan, Verde Island, and some parts of Batangas,” the advisory read.
“The oil spill threatens the global center of marine biodiversity located in the Verde Island Passage,” it further read.
The UP MSI has advised the communities along the Verde Island Passage and Batangas to prepare and report any sighting of oil slick to the authorities and adhere to public guidance to prevent its harmful effects.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard, along with other government agencies and local government units continue its cleanup operations in oil spill-affected areas. -ag
