Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 27) — The Mindoro oil spill may damage habitats worth ₱7 billion in affected areas, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR–BMB) said Thursday.
The agency was referring to vulnerable habitats such as mangrove areas, seagrass beds, and coral reefs.
“The actual value of the habitats affected by the (oil) spill will rely on ground validation, thorough habitat impact assessments and further economic valuation exercises,” the DENR said in a statement.
“This will be determined once the oil spill has been permanently contained and terminated,” it added.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Thursday recommended extending the implementation of fishing bans in oil spill-hit towns in Oriental Mindoro as “analyses are not yet conclusive evidence as far as food safety is concerned.”
In its latest assessment, BFAR said the samples collected last April 10 showed a significant increase in amounts of grease compared to the previous analysis.
BFAR also recommended alternative fishing grounds in seven areas: Paluan, Abra de Ilog, San Jose and Magsaysay in Occidental Mindoro; Boac and Gasan in Marinduque, and Concepcion in Romblon.
BFAR added that it will provide fisherfolk fuel subsidies as additional assistance.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said its oil response team has cleaned 28 kilometers (80.71%) of Pola’s shoreline and five kilometers (74.82%) of Naujan ‘s shoreline.
PCG also declared that barangays Tiguihan, Zone 1 and Zone 2 in Pola are 100% clean.
About seven kilometers of shoreline in Pola and almost two kilometers in Naujan remain contaminated with oil, it added.
