Collaboration to avoid another oil leakage incident
The Department of ecosystem and Natural Resources said it will collaborate with local shipowners to avoid a repeat of the Oriental Mindoro oil disaster, which is endangering the marine ecosystem and affecting fishers’ livelihoods.
The Department of ecosystem and Natural Resources said it will collaborate with local shipowners to avoid a repeat of the Oriental Mindoro oil disaster, which is endangering the marine ecosystem and affecting fishers’ livelihoods.
According to a statement issued by the DENR, its chief, Antonia Loyzaga, recently met with shipping companies to explore methods to bridge gaps “organizationally, functionally, legally, and policy- and practice-wise.” Among the shortcomings revealed during the conversation were the classification of ships and the quantity of permits issued for specified purposes
According to Loyzaga, the DENR and shipowners will form a technical working group to alter rules with a focus on prevention.
The MT Princess Empress, which was carrying 800,000 liters of oil, is still leaking more than two months after sinking off the coast of Oriental Mindoro. The oil tanker is owned by RDC Reield Marine Services.
The oil disaster has impacted hundreds of fishermen and tourism workers, and it is jeopardizing the Verde Island Passage, which is renowned as the “Amazon of the Seas” because of its abundance of marine life. The World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF)-Philippines had previously urged the government to evaluate the implementation of the Oil Spill Contingency Plan, which provides guidance on the national response to an oil spill, and to consider imposing more stringent regulations and accountability on vessels carrying hazardous materials.
The organization also advocated for greater coordination of shipping routes and marine protected areas to avoid overlap.
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