Oil spill reaches Ilocos Norte coastline

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union -- The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) announced that a coordinating conference is scheduled on Tuesday to determine the exact cause of the oil spill in the coastal waters of La Union and Ilocos Sur.

The conference will be attended by various government agencies headed by the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Navy, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the local governments of the affected provinces, municipalities and cities.

The oil spill in the coastal waters of La Union and Ilocos Sur has spread to several coastal areas in Ilocos Norte, prompting the Provincial Government of La Union to place the province under the state of calamity Friday.

OCD Regional Director Melchito Castro said the conference will determine exactly what caused the oil spill that first hit the coastal areas of San Fernando City, San Juan, Bacnotan, Luna and Bangar in La Union before it reached the coasts of Candon City, Tagudin, Sta. Cruz, Sta. Lucia, Santiago and San Esteban, Ilocos Sur.

A report last Sunday showed the oil spill has reached as far as Currimao, Bacarra and Paoay, all in Ilocos Norte. (PNA)