The continuous leakage of industrial oil from the sunken MT Princess Empress in the waters off Oriental Mindoro province is projected to reach this week the Verde Island Passage, which is extremely rich in marine biodiversity, according to marine experts.
The UP MSI, in a report released Sunday, also said that the northward trajectory of the slick would likely affect the coastal areas of the provincial capital Calapan City, the Verde Island at the VIP and some parts of Batangas province.The VIP is a strait that traverses Batangas and Mindoro. It is known to have the world’s highest concentration of coastal fishes, corals, crustaceans, mollusks, seagrasses, and mangroves.
However, “wind direction is very unpredictable,” said Rodriguez. “Unfortunately, this would widen the area that would be affected by the oil slick.” While the oil spill has yet to be contained, it remained a threat to the global center of marine biodiversity located in the VIP, including endemic species only found in the country and species that have yet to be discovered, according to various environmental groups.
It said the projection was based on the “weathering characteristics” of the bunker oil and a seepage rate of 1,000 barrels per day. In an interview, Morillo said the local government had formed a task force to address the impact of the spillage on the environment and the health and livelihood of the residents.
He said more heavy industry developments, especially fossil fuel power plants and liquefied natural gas terminals, are being planned around the VIP area.
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