Between March 10 and 16, specialists warned that the oil spilling from a sunken motor tanker off Mindoro Oriental may attain Verde Island Passage, the world’s middle of marine biodiversity.
“Dahil dun sa pagbagal ng hanging amihan, magpe-play ng mas malaking role ‘ung ocean currents, ito ngayon ang magdidictate ng flow towards the Verde Island Passage,” Dr. Irene Rodriguez of the University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI) mentioned on a “24 Oras” report by Sandra Aguinaldo.
Situated between Batangas and Mindoro, Verde Island is a vital breeding floor and habitat of assorted marine organisms, Rodriguez mentioned.
“So down the line, maaapektuhan of course ang ating food sources and that will lead to effects on livelihood sources,” she added.
The Philippine Coast Guard mentioned it’s prepared to work with the UP-MSI even because it mentioned that primarily based on photographs by the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority, the tank containing the oil carried by the vessel remained closed.
“Parang hindi pa talaga ma-confirm kung ito yung industrial fuel sapagkat hindi nagtutluoy-tuloy ‘yung bulwak nya,” Coast Guard spokesperson Armand Balilo mentioned.
The provincial authorities of Batangas mentioned it continues to watch efforts in controlling the oil spill.
The Calapan, Mindoro native authorities, in the meantime, mentioned its seashores aren’t affected by the oil spill and have remained open to guests.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
