Following the oil spill incident from capsized tanker MV Terranova
Fernando issues memorandum to LCEs, activates incident command post in Bulacan

CITY OF MALOLOS – Bulacan Governor Daniel R. Fernando announced last Monday the issuance of the memorandum for the local chief executives in the province regarding the mandate for the immediate action in response to the potential oil spill threat along the coast of Bulacan from the capsized tanker MT Terranova in Limay, Bataan during the Joint NDRRMC – RDRRMC3 Emergency Meeting on the Oil Spill Incident in the Province of Bataan held at the RDC Hall, NEDA Region III, DMGC, Maimpis, City of San Fernando, Pampanga.

In the Memorandum DRF-07292024 addressed to the LCEs of the Cities of Malolos and Meycauayan, Bulakan, Hagonoy, Calumpit, Marilao, Paombong and Obando, Fernando strongly advised that all fishpond operators should harvest their fish, crabs, shrimp, prawns, and other seafood as soon as possible before they become contaminated by the oil, as recommended by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

Fernando has also activated the province’s incident command post a day after the reports on the oil spill incident headed by Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Officer Atty. Julius Victor C. Degala and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Manuel M. Lukban to oversee the ongoing monitoring and assessment of the affected areas.

“Ngayon po ay patuloy ang ating pagsasagawa ng mga aksyon at nag-create po tayo ng technical working group at nagtalaga po kami ng incident commander which is BENRO and PDRRMO para masubaybayan ang lahat ng mga nangyayari,” the governor said.

He also advised fishermen to avoid sailing on areas affected by the oil spill while fishpond owners with dikes should ensure that contaminated water does not enter their ponds and should keep the check gates or sluices closed.

Based on the report of Atty. Degala, the Philippine Coast Guard has also deployed 70 personnel and two pick-up trucks, one boom truck, one JAC Truck and one Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) stationed at the Staging Area at CGSS Obando and at Bulacan PDRRMO.

The PCG has also gathered 600 coconut logs, 11 25-meter segment fence booms, ten packs of oil snare booms, six bale of absorbent pads, and five bale of absorbent booms positioned at CGSS Obando.

In the meeting presided by Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin C. Abalos, Jr., various agencies including the PCG, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, DILG, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Department of Social Welfare and Development and other local government units provided their situation reports and the actions taken to prevent and mitigate the spread of the Industrial Fuel Oil (IFO) spilling off the fuel tanker, which poses health risks to both people and aquatic life exposed to the contaminated water.

Together with the council, Abalos also suggested to conduct daily testing and monitoring of the water quality of the affected areas and the creation of core group responsible for coordinating and managing the response to the local government units affected by the oil spill.

“What is important is you do your report and everyday testing (water quality), ibigay agad sa mga gobernador, sa mga mayors – sa lahat. Napaka-importante noon,” the secretary said.

Recent reports said that the Marine Science Institute have observed some oil sheens and oil slicks near the waters of Barangays Taliptip in Bulakan; Tibagin in Hagonoy; and vicinity waters of Brgy. Pamarawan, City of Malolos.