PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. created on Saturday an inter-agency task force to quickly address the possible effects of the oil spill from the Motor Tanker Terra Nova that sank off the coast of Limay, Bataan.
The task force will be led by the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) as members.
The Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) were also included in the task force.
President Marcos ordered the DENR, in coordination with the DOH, to conduct the necessary water and air quality tests in the affected area while the health department was ordered to check on the health and medical condition of the residents.
The President ordered the PCG to evaluate the condition of the sunken motor tanker while the DILG was tasked to coordinate with the local government units (LGUs) for response.
DOLE was ordered to implement livelihood programs for the affected residents while the DSWD was told to provide aid to the victims.
The President also ordered the task force to closely work with Oriental Mindoro Gov. Bonz Dolor to get his inputs on the successful response to the oil spill in the province last year.
Tapping the non-government organizations is also needed to address the problem, the President said.
During the situation briefing, PCG Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan told President Marcos the oil spill is from the engine and industrial fuel cargo of the ill-fated tanker.
The PCG said the vessel was carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel when it sank off Lamao Point in Limay on Thursday.
President Marcos emphasized the need to immediately address the issue using indigenous materials that will absorb oil.
“Simulan na natin because kahit anong mangyari, mangangailangan talaga tayo ng mga – the commercial booms, kung ano ang makuha, makuha natin. Mag offer naman ang mga iba, pero it’s not going to be enough,” President Marcos said.
“Let’s be prepared already for the time that we will have to deploy them. Actually, we should be deploying them already,” the President added.
President Marcos said DOLE can use its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program to deploy affected residents in clean-up operations.
The DSWD, on the other hand, was tasked to ensure the protection of the coastal communities and look after public welfare.
