Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Withdraw boycott of Petron: governor
ILOILO Governor Niel D. Tupas Sr. announced the withdrawal of an earlier pronouncement that Petron products be shunned.
Last week the Provincial Governor and the Legislative branch denounced the "laxity" of the spiller sunken vessel charterer, Petron Corporation. In return, Tupas urged constituents to shun products of Petron while the Legislative branch, through a resolution, encouraged Ilonggos to do the same.
"It's only when the executive of a huge province frown and they (Petron) moved," Tupas said.
Petro Corporation launched its "Ligtas Guimaras" project Thursday last week, days after the boycott pronouncement.
This project aims to contain the spill, which reportedly, has reached more or less 300,000 liters, and to provide livelihood to the affected families as well as to protect them from health hazards.
Tupas said the oil firm has responded to the call of the Provincial Government "though they are slow in reimbursements."
The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) has released P20 million for the three affected provinces -- Iloilo, P5 million; Guimaras, P10 million; and Negros Occidental, P5 million.
Tupas said the Provincial Government has received its share. It is to distribute the same amount to its 19 threatened and affected towns. A total of P100,000 each will be given.
The same amount is chargeable against Petron Corporation. But they are yet to release the said amount.
Presently, the oil spill has affected the towns of Ajuy, Concepcion, Barotac Viejo and Dumangas as per RDCC's report.
Around 300 men were working on containing the oil slick in Ajuy and Concepcion as well as in Barotac Viejo. Their pay will be charged to Petron. Each is entitled to P200 per day.
Tupas added that the oil firm has pledged that a Japanese salvage ship will come to the site where the tanker vessel sank last August 11, to locate its position and do the appropriate move.
The vessel is situated 640 meters under sea.
Tupas said the salvage ship can locate and monitor 2,000 meters in depth.
Petron, in its earlier statement, reported that the vessel owner's insurance will pay for the expense of this project.
Task force
Provincial Administrator Manuel Mejorada said that a task group, which would inspect the marine life in the affected areas, will be created by the Provincial Government.
This would consist of personnel from the Provincial Agriculturist Office and its municipal counterpart, and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Bfar).
Meanwhile, fishes in the province remain safe to eat, said Tupas quoting the report he received from the Bfar. (LABB)
(August 29, 2006 issue)
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