MANILA — Divers are actively working to seal 24 valves on the sunken Motor Tanker (MT) Terra Nova, which were found to be leaking oil, in an ongoing effort to control environmental damage. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) provided an update on Wednesday, stating that the operation involved divers from Harbor Star Shipping Services Inc., the contracted salvor.
According to Philippines News Agency, the BRP Boracay and BRP Malawi were deployed to assist Bataan Governor Jose Enrique 'Joet' Garcia III and other officials in conducting an after-sea survey. This survey indicated minimal oil sheens or slicks in the waters around Bataan. In related efforts, the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UPMSI) undertook water sampling in various locations including Pasay City, Cavite, Bulacan, and Bataan to monitor oil levels in the coastal waters.
Governor Jonvic Remulla of Cavite declared a state of calamity across eight towns in the province to facilitate disaster response funding and enforce a price freeze on basic goods. The towns affected are Kawit, Rosario, Naic, Ternate, Bacoor, Noveleta, Tanza, and Maragondon. Additionally, a 'no-catch zone' for all shellfish has been established in these areas.
The PCG noted that since the sinking of MT Terra Nova off the coast of Limay, Bataan last Thursday, oil sheen observed along the shorelines of Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, and Cavite has been 'very minimal to unnoticeable.' Government agencies and private sector partners continue to implement disaster mitigation measures, including the deployment of oil spill booms and the use of water cannons to disperse oil sheens.