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Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Oil spill to hurt tourism: Tourism office
THE oil spill in the Guimaras Strait is going to hurt tourism in the island, Western Visayas top tourism officer said Tuesday as he urged authorities to contain the slick the soonest possible.
Guimaras Governor Rahman Nava advised residents against fishing and eating fish following the oil spill.
Four spill boats began the clean up of the seas Wednesday.
Department of Tourism (DOT) Western Visayas Director Edwin Trompeta expressed concern over the effects of the spill of two million liters of bunker oil south of Guimaras Friday on Guimaras's tourism. The oil has continued to spread to the western side of the island.
Trompeta said the Guimaras Provincial Government relies on the tourism industry of the island-known for its bountiful seas, beaches and mangoes. It is therefore hoping that agencies and persons concerned can address the oil slick very soon.
"Something has to be done about it immediately," he said.
He dismissed the speculation that the spill will spread to the beaches of Boracay, saying Guimaras Strait is far from the world famous resort island.
For now, teams from the local government units, Philippine Coast Guard, the oil tanker Solar 1 and consignee Petron Corp. as well as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) are containing the mess.
Meanwhile, Nava reported to Police Regional Director Geary Barias, chairman of the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC), that about 10,000 people coming from two of the five towns of Guimaras have been adversely affected by the spill.
Also in his report, the governor noted:
Likely to be damaged are 102 kilometers of coastline, 15.8 square kilometers of coral reef habitat, 105 hectares of mangroves and 42 hectares planted with seaweeds.
Beach resorts, except those in Poblacion, have been adversely affected.
'Taklong Island National Marine Reserve in Barangays La Paz and San Roque is heavily damaged.
The Island's most popular beach-Alubihod, located in the municipality of Jordan--was reported to be in danger of being contaminated with bunker fuel as of yesterday morning, as the spill was reported to have reached near the mouth of Lawi Cove in the same municipality.
The governor has created Task Force Sunrise to evaluate the extent of the oil spill and its damage to the environment of Guimaras.
The Guimaras Provincial Government reportedly plans to sue the management of Sunshine Maritime Development Corp., owner of M/T Solar 1, for the damage done.(LABB)
(August 16, 2006 issue)
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