MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has downplayed the possibility of the oil spill from the sunken Motor Tanker Terranova in Limay, Bataan, reaching Metro Manila.
Lieutenant Commander Michael John Encina said that based on their surveillance team’s trajectory, the oil spill is heading towards Cavite and Batangas.
However, the PCG did not completely rule out the possibility of it reaching parts of Metro Manila.
A previous report from the UP Marine Science Institute suggested that the oil could reach Metro Manila as early as today, July 30.
The MT Terra Nova sank last Thursday, July 25, carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel oil.
Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla reported that the oil spill has reached several coastal areas, particularly in Ternate, Maragondon, Naic, and parts of Tanza.
Meanwhile, the PCG suspended the spraying of dispersants since yesterday, July 29, 2024, according to Commandant, CG Admiral Ronnie Gil L Gavan.
This was done to switch to a more effective type of dispersant, based on the advice of the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation Limited (ITOPF).