|
Monday, August 28, 2006
Palace vows no 'sacred cows' in oil leak probe
MANILA -- Malacañang on Sunday assured that those responsible for the oil spill in Guimaras would be brought to justice.
"Of course, there will be no sacred cows. The investigation will be fair and thorough. We will leave no stone unturned, that's the instruction of the President," said Cabinet Secretary Ricardo Saludo.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo over the weekend named Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr. as the newest member of Task Force Guimaras chaired by Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz Jr., who is also the chairman of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC).
The President said the inclusion of the justice secretary aims to ensure that aside from a full investigation, those who are responsible for the incident would be prosecuted. Other members of the task force are Environment Secretary Angelo Reyes, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza, Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commander Arthur Gosingan.
A report said 11 towns and 3,487 families from Guimaras have already been affected by the oil spill in addition to the 16 towns in Iloilo and 17 towns and cities in Negros Occidental that were also affected.
Arroyo flew to Guimaras last Saturday to personally see the extent of damage of the oil spill. She is again set to fly to the province Monday afternoon, and stay there overnight to ensure that her instructions are carried out.
The President, during her initial visit, ordered government agencies involved, Petron Corp., and the owner of the sunken Motor Tanker (MT) Solar 1 to expedite the cleanup.
She also directed that the health and safety of those in path of the spill as well as the health and livelihood of people in the affected area must be taken cared of. She initially ordered the setting up of mobile hospitals to assist residents.
The MT Solar 1, carrying 500,000 gallons of oil of Petron, sank off the sea of Guimaras last August 11, resulting in the country's worst oil spill that has already affected hundreds of kilometers of the province's coastlines, including the livelihood of thousands of fishermen in the area.
Arroyo had declared on Friday the Guimaras oil spill as a national calamity. (JMR/Sunnex)
(August 28, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
Police fear bombing by extremist group