PCG steps up oil spill response
THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has stepped up its response to address the oil spill incident off the coast of Oriental Mindoro.
PCG officials led by Admiral Artemio Abu recently met with Korean Minister Hong Soon Chang and Third Secretary Kim Dosik for the upcoming arrival of the Korean Coast Guard Response Team on dock its technical experts on March 28 and the shipment of 20 tons of sorbent pads, 2,000 sets of protective equipment and 1,000-meter spill boom by the first week of April.
ITOPF Technical Adviser Andrew Le Masurier also briefed PCG officials and provided technical advice on how to address oil and chemical spills.
Abu likewise has requested the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPCF) and P&I Club in London to assist in speeding up the processing of contracted remotely-operated vehicles (ROV).
PCG officials have recommended the extended working hours set by the Department of Health (DOH) and the relaxed requirement on the wearing of PPEs (personal protective equipment) to immediately address the incident.
