On Monday, the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) reported that the oil spill from the sunken oil tanker MT Terra Nova in Bataan has already reached the shorelines of Tanza, Cavite.
"Nangyari na ang aming kinatatakutan; ang kumalat ang langis sa kalakhan ng Maynila Bay at maperwisyo ang kabuhayan ng maraming mangingisda," PAMALAKAYA Vice Chairperson Ronnel Arambulo said in a statement.
The progressive fishers' group mentioned that fisherfolk and coastal residents complained a distinctive odor associated with the oil spill this morning. They now worry that the oil spill may contaminate fishery resources eventually affecting farm gate prices.
The group questioned the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and other authorities who are handling the incident.
"Matinding pangamba na ang dinaranas ng mga mangingisda ng Manila Bay na hindi pa nga nakakabangon mula sa pananalasa ng bagyong Carina at Habagat," they said.
PAMALAKAYA said that they will conduct on-site inspection in various municipal waters in the province of Cavite to assess the severity of the spill and will seek concrete plans for rehabilitation for the affected livelihoods and damaged resources.
In the municipality of Tanza, over 5,000 fishfolks may be affected if the oil spill will not be contained immediately.
According to the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Tanza, fishing ban may be implemented.
Furthermore, Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla released an oil spill alert on Monday stating that coastal Coastal barangays of Ternate, Maragondon, Naic, and parts of Tanza will be affected.
"Naramdaman na ng bahagya kaninang madaling araw. Papunta na po ang Team Cavite para sa assistance," Remulla said in a statement.
OIL SPILL ALERT. Coastal barangays of Ternate, Maragondon, Naic, and parts of Tanza will be affected. Naramdaman na ng bahagya kaninang madaling araw. Papunta na po ang Team Cavite para sa assistance.
— Jonvic Remulla (@jonvicremulla) July 29, 2024
