Gab Ibis

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is racing to contain a potential environmental disaster after a second oil tanker, the MTKR Jason Bradley, gone down off the coast of Mariveles, Bulacan on July 27.

Photo Courtesy of Noel Celis/Greenpeace.

This follows the July 25 sinking of the MT Terra Nova near Limay, Bataan, which spilled 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel cargo into the water, prompting the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to flag nearby areas for a possible fishing ban.

The PCG has secured leaks from the “Jason Bradley” and is preparing for recovery, but concerns are mounting as the first oil spill already covers 14.4 square kilometers.

BFAR spokesman Nazario Briguera stated that the agency is yet to coordinate with local governments on the fishing ban.

“Pero kung malawakan na ang pagtagas, kailangan talaga magkaroon na ng pag-aanalisa mismo do’n sa mga isda kung meron nang contamination na nangyayari sa kanila,” Briguera said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.

A report by PCG showed that one crew of the sunken tanker was found dead, while 16 of the 17 members on board were rescued.

Meanwhile, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is collecting water samples and warned a possible environmental fallout in nearby Bulacan, Cavite, and Pampanga.

“Sa ngayon kasi, we still have to gather, consolidate all the relevant information. Ang DENR, nagsa-sampling na rin ng tubig,” the BFAR spokesman said.

The government has assured assistance to fisherman who may be affected by a possible fishing ban.