Debris from sunken barge found

Inquirer, Nov. 23, 2006

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Three plastic bags containing oil-absorbent booms were found in Oroquieta City, some 30 kilometers from Plaridel, Misamis Occidental where a barge carrying debris from the Guimaras oil spill sank on Monday evening, officials said.

The booms, measuring three meters long and six inches wide, were made up of materials similar to baby diapers.

Authorities on Thursday said the discovery of the floating booms could indicate that the ropes used in tying the plastic bags have come loose causing them to drift to the surface.

The barge, Ras, was being towed to the Holcim cement plant in Lugait, Misamis Oriental to deliver 56,649 sacks of sludge and debris when it sank off Polo Point in Plaridel town. The two sailors manning the barge were safely rescued by their companions, who were manning the tugboat towing it.

The tugboat’s captain had told authorities that huge waves breached the barge’s hatches, causing it to sink.

(Click Debris found for the full story.)

One disaster after another

BIG DEAL
By Dan Mariano

QUESTION: Where on this planet does an attempt to mitigate a country’s worst environmental disaster create an ecological catastrophe of its own?

Answer: Only in the Philippines.

When it sank off the coast of Plaridel, Misamis Occidental, around 11 p.m. Monday, the barge Ras was carrying 59,000 sacks of oil debris. The debris—about 600 metric tons—reportedly formed the last batch collected from Guimaras, off whose waters the 988-ton Solar 1 tanker sank on August 11 with over 2 million liters of bunker fuel in its hold.

A special board of marine inquiry found Petron, which had commissioned Solar 1, liable for overloading the tanker at the oil company’s fuel dock in Limay, Bataan. That case has yet to be officially closed, but here comes another.

It was no surprise that in its very first announcement on the Ras sinking, the country’s biggest oil company emphasized that it was the International Oil Pollution Commission that had hired the ill-fated barge.

Petron spokesmen added that the debris from Guimaras consisted of sand, rocks and vegetation to which part of the oil slick from Solar 1 had adhered. After months of exposure to the elements, the debris contained “hardly any toxic materials, much of which have already evaporated by now,” one of the spokesmen added.

(For the rest of the column, click Big Deal, Nov. 24, 2006.)

Philippine reefs on display in Chicago

By FELIPE F. SALVOSA II, Sub-Editor
BusinessWorld, Nov. 24, 2006

PERHAPS the best place to appreciate the richness and diversity of Philippine marine life is outside of the country, and in, of all places, the windy city of Chicago.

Aside from its skyscrapers and imposing architecture, Chicago is also home to the world’s largest indoor aquarium, the John G. Shedd Aquarium, a city icon that has become the model for zoos and aquariums elsewhere for more than 75 years.

Three years ago, the Shedd opened its 10-room, $45-million Wild Reef exhibit, the biggest opening since the publicly funded aquarium unveiled its Oceanarium exhibit of dolphins, beluga whales, sea otters, and penguins.

First-timers would have no idea the Wild Reef, which occupies the Shedd’s new, 28,000-sq. ft. underground wing, is really all about Philippine coral reefs and the sea creatures that thrive in it.

The Shedd was already showcasing five distinct regional aquatic ecosystems — the Pacific Northwest coast, the waters of Ilinois, East African lakes and rivers, the Florida Everglades and the Caribbean reefs, and the Amazon River. Its long-term exhibit master plan called for an Indo-Pacific coral reef exhibit, making Philippine reefs the natural choice. Wild Reef was the highest point of the Shedd’s $97-million renovation and expansion program that spanned five years, with funding from the city of Chicago and Illinois state, as well as the private sector.

(For the rest of the story, click RP reefs.)

Coast Guard to probe barge sinking

By Leila Salaverria
Inquirer, Nov. 23, 2006

THE Philippine Coast Guard has formed a board of marine inquiry to investigate the sinking of a barge carrying nearly 60,000 sacks of sludge and other oil-soaked debris from the cleanup of the oil spill in Guimaras province.

Rear Admiral Damian Carlos directed the Coast Guard’s Northern Mindanao office to investigate the incident that took place Monday night off Misamis Occidental, said PCG spokesperson Lieutenant Commander Joseph Coyme.

The barge Ras of Harbor Star Shipping Services Inc. sank in the vicinity of Polo Point, Plaridel, Misamis Occidental, while loaded with 59,649 sacks of oil debris, the Coast Guard said.

The barge was supposed to bring the cargo to Lugait, Misamis Oriental.

Coyme said Northern Mindanao district commander Captain Cecil Chen heads the board that will look into the incident, which raised fears of another oil slick affecting Misamis Occidental.

(For the full story, click Coast Guard.)

P130M for Guimaras environmental rehab okayed

A FUNDING of P130 million for the rehabilitation of the environment in Guimaras has been approved.

DENR regional executive director Julian Amador said Secretary Angelo T. Reyes had instructed their regional office to immediately send a work and financial plan to the Department of Budget and Management for the said amount so that cash allocations can be made immediately.

The fund will be for the different rehabilitation activities that will restore the environment of Guimaras and affected municipalities in Iloilo in its natural state or may be even better than before.

The fund was promised by President Gloria Arroyo to the Task Force SOS when she visited Guimaras right after the oil spill incident. She had been a witness to the havoc wrought by the black mongrel that had turned the green mangroves and sea grasses into oil dripping statues.

During her visit, Arroyo had declared that the Office of the President would provide funding for the rehabilitation of the environment.

Initially, the task force recommended a P230-million funding. However, upon computing the needed amount, they found out that P130 million is more than enough to defray all expenses that will include activities on information, education and communication.

The rehabilitation of the area covers air and water quality monitoring in various sampling sites. (Rhodora A. Capulso, The Guardian Iloilo, Nov. 23, 2006)

Governor, green group mulls raps vs Petron, barge owner

By Lizanilla J. Amarga
SunStar Cagayan de Oro
Nov. 23, 2006

MISAMIS Occidental Governor Loreto Ocampos and a local environmental group Wednesday threatened to slap Petron Corp. and shipping company Harbor Star damage suits for the sinking of a barge carrying oil-soaked debris gathered from cleaning up the Guimaras oil spill at Plaridel, Misamis Occidental.

The regional office of the Environmental Management Board (EMB) is preparing their water sample tests as well as looking into the hiring of an expert marine biologist to have an independent assessment of the impact the incident would have on the environment.

But Defense Secretary and National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) Chairman Avelino Cruz convened Taskforce Guimaras and immediately issued a statement declaring the oil soaked debris from Guimaras harmless.

Barge Ras, which was carrying around 59,000 sacks of oil debris from the August 11 sinking of the 988-ton Solar 1 tanker off Guimaras island, sank about five kilometers northeast of Plaridel, Misamis Occidental last Monday around 11:10 p.m.

The Barge Ras was towed by Tugboat Vega to Lugait, Misamis Oriental when it sank due to rough seas.

The barge, which was owned and operated by Harbor Star, was contracted by Petron Corp. to ship out debris from the Solar 1 oil spill and bring it to Holcim Cement at Lugait, Misamis Oriental for processing.

In separate interviews with Sun.Star Wednesday, Ocampos and Partido Kalikasan chairman Manuel Ravenera said they are now looking into the filing of charges against Petron Corp. and Harbor Star.

Assessment

Ravanera said they are now conducting their own independent probe on the incident and thinking of filing charges after assessment of the pertinent facts.

In a statement furnished to this paper, Greenpeace Southeast Asia campaigner Beau Baconguis said oil firm Petron Corp. is to blame for this incident that spilled 600 tons of oil debris in Misamis Occidental waters just as that of the Guimaras Island incident.

Baconguis said the national government should hold Petron Corp. accountable to the “fullest extent of the law” over this latest incident “whether it is due to gross negligence or plain stupidity.”

“Petron has yet to fully answer for its disastrous oil spill in Guimaras, but here it is again with another environmental disaster in the making,” he said.

EMB Regional Director Abdullah Abubacar said he has issued two orders in relation to the incident.

He said the first was on initiating an immediate water-sampling test in the area where Barge Ras sank “to determine the level of contamination.”

Abubacar said they were informed that the 59,000 sacks of oil debris are composed of sand and gravel “with oil slick stuck to them, thus, it is highly unlikely that oil will surface.”

“The water sampling is part of our precautionary measure,” he said. “We’re just praying that the oil debris won’t scatter. That’s why they need to get to it as soon as possible.”

Abubacar said he has also issued a letter to Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Regional Director Dichoso to ask him if it would be possible to hire an expert marine biologist who would determine the over-all environmental impact of the incident.

NDCC spokesman Anthony Golez in a statement said the oil debris that spilled in the waters off Misamis Occidental does not pose any danger to the province’s marine environment.

Golez said the team dispatched to Plaridel town to check on the sunken barge Ras saw no oil sheen from the site.

Provincial execs voice alarm over oil spill

By Lizanilla J. Amarga
SunStar Cagayan de Oro
Nov. 23, 2006

THE Provincial Board of Misamis Oriental (Misor) voiced alarm Wednesday over the sinking of a barge carrying some 59,000 sacks of oil-soaked debris from the Guimaras Oil Spill at Plaridel, Misamis Occidental.

The barge was bound for Holcim, Inc., which is located at population-rich Lugait, Misamis Oriental, for treatment and disposal.

Misamis Occidental Governor Loreto Leo Ocampos said Provincial Board members from Misamis Occidental will approve an ordinance prohibiting sea vessels carrying toxic substances from the province’s waters.

Misamis Oriental board members will also be proposing a similar ordinance.

In an interview, committee on public safety chairman Norris Babiera, minority floor leader Alejo Butch Olano and committee on rules vice-chairman Oliver Actub voiced alarm over the incident.

Babiera said Petron “should be held accountable for any damage to our environment.”

He said while the incident can be chalked up as an accident still “extra care should had been taken.”

Babiera said the burning of the oil debris from Guimaras here in Lugait, Misamis Oriental was done without consultation or an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).

Babiera said they would also pass an ordinance banning toxic waste from passing the Iligan-Macajalar-Gingoog Bay.

“What we have is a resolution banning nuclear-powered warships from our ports authored by me during the previous Provincial Board.”

Actub, for his part, said the debris still has oil.

Ocampos earlier said their provincial board is also going to prepare an ordinance to prohibit ships with toxic substances from entering provincial waters.

“They will not be allowed into our municipal waters,” he said.

Earlier, Petron issued a press release that it was able to already ship out some 500 metric tons of oil-soaked debris from Guimaras.

It reported how a Landing Craft Tanker with a capacity of 2,000 metric tons left the Cabalagnan Wharf in Nueva Valencia and brought the debris to Holcim Philippines’ Lugait plant in Misamis Oriental.

Once brought there, the debris will be used as an alternative fuel and raw material in cement production without compromising the quality of cement.

Petron said the high technology plant will convert the oil-covered debris into energy without producing any hazardous compounds or fumes.

“Holcim has had experience in handling, storing and co-processing of similar materials locally and globally,” its release reads.

It added that the global cement manufacturing company is committed to the safe and proper co-processing of waste without compromising the quality of its product and the environment.

Also, that Holcim’s operations are supported by its compliance with all requirements, permits and environmental regulations by government.

Petron plays down spread of oil debris

• ‘A stupendous insult!’ – solon

By P. Isla, J. Mayuga
BusinessMirror, Nov. 23, 2006

LOCAL oil refiner Petron Corp. said Wednesday that about 30 pieces of sorbent booms used in the Guimaras clean-up efforts were recovered at the pier of Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental. A total of 50 such 3-meter sorbent booms were reportedly loaded on Barge Ras, which sank about 5 kilometers northeast of Plaridel on the night of November 20. Oroquieta is 22 kilometers south of Plaridel.

The barge, owned and operated by Harbor Star, was contracted to ship out debris from the Solar 1 oil spill and bring it to a Holcim facility for treatment and disposal. According to the press release issued by Harbor Star, they were “collectively contracted” by the P&I Club, International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation Ltd., and the International Oil Spill Compensation Fund.

“Regardless of who owns the barge or who chartered it, Petron personnel are already in the field to do what is needed and minimize any impact that may arise from this incident,” said Petron Health, Safety and Environment manager Carlos V. Tan.

He assured the local populace that the used sorbent booms are designed to keep the absorbed oil in.

“In fact, not even traces of oily sheen were detected as the sorbent booms were recovered,” added Tan.

For its part, Harbor Star Shipping Services Inc. said it was collectively contracted by the P&I Club, International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation Ltd. (ITOPF), and the International Oil Spill Compensation Fund (IOPC) in response to the oil spill of MT Solar 1 and has been helping Petron in the clean-up in Guimaras.

At around 11 p.m. on November 20, Harbor Star said Barge Ras loaded with 59,649 sacks of debris (consisting mostly of sand and stone with minimal oil residue) sank near Plaridel while enroute to Holcim’s facility in Lugait, Misamis Oriental.

Not everyone is convinced, though, that Petron has not been negligent.

“Another stupendous insult to our people, our environment and our laws!” said Rep. JR Nereus Acosta of Bukidnon, reacting to the second sinking.

“The first time [August 11 oil spill off the coast of Guimaras Island], Petron said it was an accident. We said they should face liabilities. For repeated delinquency, let us now fully exercise the rule of law for crimes such as this.”

Meanwhile, Natural Resources Secretary Angelo Reyes on Tuesday ordered the DENR’s officials in Misamis Occidental to monitor the sunken oil barge and the shorelines of Misamis Oriental, following reports that debris contaminated with oil had reached shore.

Reyes ordered Region 10 executive director Maximo Dichoso to assess the damage to the environment. The DENR chief met with Task Force SOS presided by DENR regional executive director Julian D. Amador following reports of the sinking of the barge carrying 59,000 sacks of oil debris from Guimaras.

No oil leak had been detected from the sunken barge as of Wednesday afternoon. Reyes was particularly alarmed by the situation in Plaridel because a leak could devastate the province’s fishing grounds.

Although Petron had taken charge of the immediate response to the incident, Reyes said there is still a possibility that the sacks filled with oil-contaminated debris may break down and harm marine life.

The Pambansang Lakas ng Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas called on Petron to set aside P1 billion to clean up the mess.