SPM Ortega relayed Gov. Manuel C. Ortega’s call for a “win-win” approach in addressing the impacts of the oil spill. He said that expeditious actions should be done to contain it and prevent serious damages to the marine ecosystem and address possible health impacts to affected coastal barangays. Also, Dr. Tilan emphasized the creation of a task force that will handle similar incidents in the future and conduct speedy action and mitigation.

The Philippine Coast Guard District Northwestern Luzon will look into the Emergency Contingency Plan of CPI to determine its readiness in responsing quickly to similar incidents. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources- Environmental Management Bureau-Region 1 (DENR-EMB RO1) cited CPI’s violations of their Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) as well as violations to R.A. 8749 or the Clean Water Act of 1999.

A monitoring team from the San Fernando City Environment Office and Office of the Provincial Agriculturist-Environment and Natural Resources Division (OPAG-ENRD) has been mobilized since day one of the oil spill to make assessment and monitoring of the spread of the oil slick in the coastal barangays of Poro, Ilocanos Sur, Ilocanos Norte and Pagdaroan and continously coordinate with CPI on their clean up.

Oil spill affects corals, sea grass and sea beds where fishes, crustaceans and other sea organisms live. Toxins can also be ingested by clams, oysters and sea urchins and can be passed to the food chain. Disturbance to the marine ecosystem can lead decline in fish supply and catch.

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