By Roel Amazona
TACLOBAN CITY – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Eastern Visayas has responded to a reported oil spill in the coastal waters of Tabango, Leyte, and contained an estimated 1,500 to 2,000 liters of mineral oil that leaked from an underwater submarine cable.
In a statement Monday, Coast Guard District Eastern Visayas said personnel from Coast Guard Station Western Leyte, Coast Guard Sub-Station Ormoc, Coast Guard Sub-Station Villaba and the Maritime Environmental Protection Unit-Eastern Visayas responded to the incident in Barangay Tugas in Tabango town.
The leaked mineral oil came from an underwater submarine cable owned by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), the PCG said.
“Upon confirmation of the incident, the response teams immediately deployed oil spill containment booms and absorbent materials to contain the leaked mineral oil and prevent it from spreading further,” the PCG said.
The PCG said the response teams successfully contained and recovered an estimated 1,500 to 2,000 liters of mineral oil.
It added that the prompt deployment of personnel and specialized equipment, coupled with coordination with the NGCP, helped mitigate the potential impact of the incident on the marine environment and nearby coastal communities.
The PCG said the operation forms part of its mandate to ensure maritime safety and security and protect the country’s marine environment and resources. (PNA)
