Mayor Jerry Treñas is not discounting the possibility of the Naujan, Oriental Mindoro oil spill reaching the shores of Iloilo and Guimaras.
In a statement, Treñas stressed the “need to prepare for the oil spill” caused by the sinking of motor tanker MT Princess Empress.
The vessel was carrying a cargo of about 800,000 liters or 210,000 gallons of industrial oil, sank on Feb. 28.
Treñas instructed Donna Magno, head of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), to call concerned government agencies and local governments of Iloilo and Guimaras to a meeting.
The emergency hybrid multi-agency meeting on March 4 was also attended by representatives from the University of the Philippines-Visayas scientific community.
The mayor likewise ordered CDRRMO “to extend all possible assistance and resources” to help contain the spread of the oil spill.
“Iloilo City will augment the personal protective equipment of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and support agencies helping the efforts including helmets, face masks, gloves, and similar equipment,” said Treñas.
The oil spill has already reached the province of Antique, according to PCG.IMT
