There is no truth to reports that an oil spill from the sunken motor tanker “Terra Nova” has reached the shores of Manila.
That was the assertion of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) as fishermen and environmental groups aired their concerns about the possible impacts of the oil spill from the tanker, which sank last week during the height of monsoon rains.
During a Zoom press conference Tuesday, July 30, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, PCG Commandant, dismissed earlier reports suggesting the spill would affect Metro Manila’s coastline.
Gavan, accompanied by a representative from the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation Ltd. (ITOPF), conducted an aerial inspection of the affected waters, including areas in the National Capital Region, Bulacan, Bataan, Corregidor, and Ternate in Cavite.
Their assessment confirmed that the waters along Manila Bay’s coastline were clear, with only a minimal oil sheen around the tanker, which is expected to dissipate naturally.
Despite the reassurance, Gavan noted that the situation remains under careful monitoring.
The intermediate fuel oil (IFO) remains submerged, and siphoning operations have not yet begun as the remaining valves need to be fully sealed.
The salvor team from “Harbor Star” has been working around the clock, successfully sealing 14 out of 24 valves and four pipes.
Gavan acknowledged reports of oil sightings by fishermen and residents in Tanza, Cavite, but stated that these observations are likely due to remnants from the initial days after the tanker sank.
Oil dispersants have already been deployed to address these issues.
Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando also reported possible signs of oil reaching the coasts of the towns of Bulakan and Hagonoy.
The PCG plans to siphon approximately 300,000 liters of oil, which will help float the tanker and allow for further safe removal of about 50,000 to 60,000 liters per day.
The entire siphoning process could take between one to two weeks.
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