BATANGAS – In preparation for the possible spread of the Oriental Mindoro oil spill in the Verde Island Passage and the coast of Batangas province, Governor Dodo Mandanas assured the readiness of the province for possible events, while the leadership of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Batangas laid out the “battle plans” against it.

This is among those discussed at the MT Princess Empress pre-disaster follow-up meeting of the Provincial Government of Batangas, with representatives of coastal local government units (LGUs) and private companies and industries along the province’s coast, March 16, 2023 at the Capitol, Batangas City.

The Batangas Governor said, “We are ready, always ready,” as he recalled that in 1995, comprehensive planning began for the possibility of oil spills and leaks along Batangas Bay due to the presence of oil companies and refineries here, which are regularly visited by large oil tankers, and in this part of the route of ships and vessels.

Mandanas added that the sinking of an oil tanker and its oil leakage is a “national concern” because it affects different provinces.

The provincial government will also contact the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for expert studies on the situation and prepare for possible legal actions against the owner of the sunken motor tanker.

PCG Batangas Commander Captain Victorino Acosta IV bared that the province’s preparation for the arrival of the oil spill in the waters covered by Batangas will be on the coast, ocean, and sky.

He said there will be monitoring for the oil spill, together with fishermen and Bantay Dagat volunteers, and at the seaside, the residents and industries in coastal barangays.

According to the PCG report, some of their personnel are now deployed to Isla Verde to contact and help the barangays that will likely be affected by the oil spill first.

The local governments shared their initial preparations for the imminent disaster, including the creation of oil spill booms using coconuts and fish nets, coordination with the Coast Guard volunteers for ocean monitoring, preparation of food packs for affected families, and water quality testing through the Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office.

Meanwhile, representatives of the Batangas State University and the University of Batangas also expressed their willingness to help construct artificial oil spill barriers and contribute materials to make them that can be provided to the coastal communities. PCG will train them to properly manufacture the “anti-oil” equipment.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will also contact the registered treatment facilities that can bring collected crude oil, which is considered “hazardous waste.”

The said meeting was led by Provincial Administrator Willy Racelis and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Lito Castro.

According to Racelis, “there is no substitute for preparation.”