An oil spill occurred off the coast of Limay, Bataan, after the MT Terranova sank on July 25, 2024, releasing liters of industrial oil into the sea. The disaster, worsened by Super Typhoon Carina, severely impacted over 17,000 fishermen and more than 14,000 families in Limay and Mariveles.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 3 confirmed that a state of calamity has been declared in Bataan to expedite the allocation of resources for containment and aid to the affected communities. An inter-agency task force, including the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and experts from the U.S. Coast Guard, has been mobilized to manage the situation. The task force is actively conducting inspections, enforcing fishing bans, and leading shoreline cleanup operations.
OCD Regional Director Amador Corpus shared these developments during the PIA-Gitnang Luzon Kapihan Sa Bagong Pilipinas Episode 13, held on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at the Pampanga PDRRMC Training Center. The event, hosted by PIA Regional Director William Beltran; supported by Deputy RD Carlo Lorenzo Juco Datu, Information Officer Jag Lyra, and Media Productions Officer Aldrin Joshua Mallari, featured discussions with the Department of National Defense.
A German oil spill expert has also been brought in to assist with the cleanup, focusing on separating oil from seawater, a crucial step in reducing environmental damage.
Additionally, as the OCD Region 4A (CALABARZON) monitors potential health risks from volcanic smog or vog caused by Taal Volcano, Director Corpus is assessing the possible effects on parts of Central Luzon. Residents in the affected areas are advised to stay indoors if possible and wear N95 masks outdoors to protect against volcanic dust, which poses significant health risks, particularly to the lungs.
This news comes as the Office of Civil Defense celebrates its 70th anniversary, marking seven decades of commitment to disaster risk reduction and management across the country.