MINDORO- INAANTABAYANAN na ngayon ang mobilisasyon ng US Coast Guard at kanilang air assets para tumulong sa isinagawang clean up operations kaugnay sa nagaganap massive oil spill sa lalawigang ito.
Sa ulat na isinumite ni National Defense Senior Undersecretary Carlito Galvez Jr. kay Pangulong Bongbong Marcos, sinabi nito na paparating na ang tulong ng US na kung saan malaking puwersa ng US Coast Guard at C-5, isang Air Force’s largest and strategic airlifter.
“We are looking forward to the arrival of the entire US Coast Guard contingent for the additional technical support in our disaster response operations,” ani Galvez.
Inihayag nito, dumating nitong Linggo ang isang US C-17 with equipment (60K loader) na kasalukuyang nasa Subic Air Base at inaasahan din ang pagdating naman ng C-5.
Si Galvez na siyang pinuno ng National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) kasama si Office of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno at Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) chief Admiral Artemio Abu at iba pang Armed Forces and local government officials ay nagsagawa ng aerial inspection para makita ang lawak ng pinsalang dulot ng oil spill sa mga apektadong lugar.
“We will immediately employ these assets and integrate in our response operations. In addition, we continue to closely monitor the ROV’s (remotely-operated vehicle) operations for significant updates and to further determine the extent of the oil spill,” paliwanag pa ni Galvez.
Ani Galvez, malaki ang maitutulong ng presensya ng US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) sa clean-up operations sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaloob ng rapid environmental assessments ng mga apektadong areas, identification of priority areas at risk of environmental damage at assessment sa mga pangangailangan para sa ecosystem restoration.
Una nang ipinahayag ng DND na nadiskubre ng Japanese ROV (remotely operated vehicle) ang extensive structural damage na inabot ng oil tanker na MT Princess Empress matapos ang paglubog nito.
“At this point, no visible consumption fuel leak coming from the damaged vessel. Oil leaks had been observed from all 8 compartments (tanks). Some through ballast tanks.Volume of remaining oil inside the compartments cannot be estimated at this point. Oil spillage rate from the source is likewise yet to be determined,” ani Galvez base sa findings ng Japanese team.
“Our response efforts, particularly the actions of the various government agencies, are present and very effective with the collaboration of all stakeholders, not to mention the assistance of our allies and other partner countries,” dagdag pa ni Galvez . VERLIN RUIZ