Two marine vessels, MT Terra Nova and MTKR Jason Bradley, have capsized and caused an oil spill on our waters. Authorities are racing against time to ensure the safety of affected communities and our marine environment. Meanwhile, experts warn of potentially disastrous consequences if the situation worsens. Here’s everything you need to know:

What happened?

On Thursday, July 25, an oil tanker, MT Terra Nova, carrying over one million liters of industrial fuel oil, toppled and sank off Manila Bay near Limay, Bataan. The incident was caused mainly by heavy downpours amplified by Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon, producing an oil spill spanning several kilometers. One crew member on board has died, while the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) rescued 16 others.

Two days later, on July 27, another fuel tanker submerged in Mariveles, Bataan, identified as MTKR Jason Bradley. Although the vessel wasn’t carrying any cargo, there were fuel leaks, which PCG divers had already sealed.

How will this affect our environment?

The sinking of MT Terra Nova poses a significant threat to marine life and the livelihoods of coastal communities. In fact, the fisher group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) reported that over 5,000 fishers are worried that the incident might pollute local fishery resources.

International non-profit organization Oceana has also warned that if the situation isn’t contained quickly, it could potentially become the worst oil spill in the country’s history.

Is it still safe to eat fish from Manila Bay?

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said they’re actively working with authorities to protect the marine environment and support local fishing communities.

“Fish samples from Bataan (Limay, Orion, Balanga City, and Samal) tested today, July 29, for taste (cooked fish), raw odor, and cooked odor [have] all passed the sensory analysis. Succeeding tests with third-party laboratories for the presence of oil and grease, and harmful contaminants called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) will also be carried out,” BFAR elaborated.

They’ve yet to issue a fishing ban in adjacent waters that are still unaffected by the oil spill in Manila Bay and have advised everyone to stay calm.

What are we doing to stop it?

MT Terra Nova tapped maritime service provider Harbor Star to salvage its tanker and conduct clean-up operations. President Bongbong Marcos has also called for the formation of an inter-agency task force to assist.

This task force, composed of several government agencies such as the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), PCG, the  Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), will coordinate efforts to mitigate the impact of the oil spill.

PCG Bataan Station commander Lieutenant Commander Michael John Encina also said last July 29 that there are minimal leaks from the sunken tanker after 14 of the 24 valves have been sealed. The siphoning operations, a process of removing the remaining oil from the tanker, are expected to take five to seven days to complete. 

On the other hand, authorities say MTKR Jason Bradley’s salvaging operations may take up to two weeks. Oil spill booms were also placed in the surrounding area.

What’s the current situation?

In a Facebook post yesterday, Governor Jonvic Remulla said the MT Terra Nova oil spill has now affected the coastal barangays of Ternate, Maragondon, Naic, and parts of Tanza in Cavite.

PCG said they’ve observed minimal and unnoticeable oil sheens following an aerial survey of the shorelines of Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, and Cavite.

“According to the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation Limited (ITOPF), social media reports showcasing videos and pictures of oil sheen/oil spill were unindicative to the actual aerial view,” PCG’s Facebook post read.

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