ILOILO City – An environment management plan (EMP) addressing the environmental impact of the oil spill following an explosion from a power barge in Barangay Bo. Obrero, Lapuz district on July 3 is on a roll.
AC Energy Philippines, owner of Power Barge 102 that accidentally spilled bunker fuel into the coast of Iloilo City due to still undetermined causes, submitted the EMP to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) Environmental Management Bureau (EMB).
It focuses on the detailed plans of the company and the relevant timeline for the implementation of such plans in relation to the key areas which the DENR-EMB highlighted during a technical conference Wednesday last week.
The key areas include the following:
* completion of the oil spill cleanup and ensuring that water quality is restored to safe levels
* continued monitoring of air quality and ensuring that air quality is safe before affected families are allowed to return to their homes
* proper collection and disposal of oil contaminated materials and wastes
* rehabilitation plan for the affected mangrove areas and fisheries
“Even with the submission of the EMP to the DENR-EMB, we will continue to work closely and coordinate with the DENR, as well as with various government bodies and agencies, including the local governments of Iloilo City and Guimaras, as well as the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to implement the EMP,” according to AC Energy in a statement.
AC Energy also said it will take into account comments and other recommendations from said units and agencies to better address the emergency.
“With respect to news reports released on Saturday regarding the filing by the PCG of a criminal complaint against the company and its officers for alleged violation of Section 107 of Republic Act 8550 (The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998) as amended by Republic Act 10654 for aquatic pollution, the company has not received a copy of such complaint yet and is thus unable to make any specific comment at this time,” it clarified.
AC Energy also underscored that even with the filing of the case, it is committed to continue cooperating in good faith with the PCG and other government units and agencies to ensure that the oil spill cleanup is done properly and completed soon, and that the needs of the affected communities and groups are provided for.
“With the submission of the EMP and the various cleanup activities we organized in coordination with industry and local government partners and the community assistance that it provided since the oil spill started, the company hopes to have demonstrated its serious commitment to do what is right for the affected communities and the environment, including to address the findings of aquatic pollution by the PCG,” it further noted./PN
