PCG collects over 6,800 liters of oil spill mixture in Oriental Mindoro

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has collected approximately 6,803 liters of oily water mixture and nearly 2,000 sacks of contaminated materials as part of ongoing efforts to mitigate the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro.

These clean-up operations are a response to the sinking of the MT Prince Empress on February 28, which was carrying 900,000 liters of industrial fuel oil.

The sunken vessel lies too deep for divers to reach, complicating recovery and clean-up efforts.

While the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) anticipates a reduction in fish output, they do not foresee a nationwide shortage.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) reports that at least 61 tourist sites have been impacted by the spill.

The University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UP MSI) has warned that the oil spill could potentially spread to northern Palawan, endangering over 36,000 hectares of marine habitats.

PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo confirmed that there are no more traces of oil spill in Isla Verde, Batangas City after aerial surveillance, though contingency measures are in place.