Philippines oil spill: People in Mindoro fear long-lasting damage

Summary

The Philippine Coast Guard and private contractors are working tirelessly to contain an oil spill from the 'Empty Princess Empress' tanker that capsized on February 28th, releasing over 900,000 liters of unrefined fuel. Efforts include spraying oil dispersants and using booms and skimmers. Despite authorities claiming the spill is under control, coastal communities fear further environmental damage, especially to coral reefs and mangroves, which are crucial for local fisheries. The local government of Palawan plans legal action, while fishermen, currently aiding in cleanup, face an uncertain future as their traditional livelihood is threatened.

Takeaways

• 🚢 **Oil Spill Incident**: A tanker named Empress capsized on February 28th, causing an oil spill.
• 🌊 **Containment Efforts**: Philippine Coast Guard is working daily to contain the spread of industrial fuel from the spill.
• 💧 **Oil Spill Volume**: The tanker was carrying over 900,000 liters of unrefined fuel when it capsized.
• 🛑 **Containment Methods**: Booms and skimmers are being used to collect oil and prevent it from spreading further.
• 📏 **Extent of Spill**: The visible oil spill stretches approximately 1.5 kilometers from the sunken tanker.
• 📍 **Location**: The tanker is located about 400 meters deep at the bottom of the sea.
• 🏋️‍♂️ **Control Measures**: Authorities claim the spill is largely under control with a siphoning ship hired to remove remaining oil.
• 🌐 **Community Concerns**: Coastal communities are worried about potential larger disasters due to the oil spill.
• 💔 **Environmental Impact**: Coral reefs have been damaged, and local government is considering legal action.
• 🐟 **Ecological Damage**: The spill threatens the breeding areas of fish, affecting the local ecosystem and fishing communities.
• 🤝 **Community Response**: Fishermen are currently earning money by helping to clean oil from beaches but are concerned about their long-term livelihood.

Q & A

What is the daily routine of the Philippine Coast Guard personnel mentioned in the script?

The daily routine involves heading out to sea to contain the spread of industrial fuel that is leaking from a tanker that capsized.

What method is being used to contain the oil spill?

The Coast Guard is spraying oil dispersants to disturb the oil slick, allowing the environment to naturally break down the oil.

How much unrefined fuel was the sunken tanker carrying when it capsized?

The sunken tanker, Empress, was carrying more than 900,000 liters of unrefined fuel when it went down.

Who is working alongside the Philippine Coast Guard to manage the oil spill?

Private contractors are working in tandem with the Coast Guard to deploy booms, temporary floating barriers, and collect oil with skimmers.

What is the current status of the oil spill according to the authorities?

Authorities say the spill is largely under control, and a siphoning ship has been hired to remove any remaining oil from the tanker.

What concerns do coastal communities have regarding the oil spill?

Coastal communities are worried about a bigger disaster, fearing that the ship's containers might burst open, causing more extensive damage.

What is the local government of Palawan planning to do in response to the oil spill?

The local government of Palawan, where most of the oil has washed ashore, intends to take legal action due to the damage to coral reefs.

How long does it take for corals to recover from oil contamination?

Once oil reaches the corals, it can take 10 to 20 years for them to be clean again.

What impact does the oil spill have on the local fishing industry?

The oil spill threatens the breeding areas of fish, which are the corals and mangroves, potentially affecting the fish population and the livelihood of fishermen.

How are fishermen currently coping with the situation?

Fishermen are earning money by removing oil from the beaches, but they are concerned about their long-term livelihood as fishing is their primary way of life.

Where is the location of the oil spill as mentioned in the script?

The oil spill occurred near the town of Palawan in the Philippines.