Who Is Telling the Truth on Oil Dispersants?

Sprays vs oil slick raise alarm bells

Chemical used in cleaning up oil spill safe – DENR

Evaluating Proposals for Solar 1 Siphoning Operations

The final decision as to whether the costs of siphoning the oil from the wreck are covered by the Conventions will be made by the Executive Committee of the 1992 Fund, which meets during the week of 23 October 2006. The 1992 Fund’s Director, Mr Måns Jacobsson, will recommend to the Committee that the costs should be accepted in principle. Click here to view the Ship Owner’s P&I Club and the IOPC Fund's press statement.

A presentation was made by the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund and the Protection and Indemnity Club to the National Disaster Coordinating Council based on the report from the survey vessel Shinsei Maru on September 12. According to the report, Solar 1 is deeply immersed in seabed and is in very stable condition. Additionally, the structural condition of the vessel is "very unlikely to change to cause further release of oil into the environment." Click here to view the IOPC P&I Club SOLAR 1- NDCC presentation. NOTE: This is an excellent reference and resource doucment.

Was There Ever a Question?

Was there ever a question, who was at fault? Government probers found shipping firm Sunshine Maritime Development Corp. (SDMC), Captain Norberto Aguro, Petron Corp., and maritime officials liable for the sinking of the ill-fated MT Solar I. The Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), after scrutinizing the report of the Board of Marine Inquiry (BMI), announced Thursday that Petron was "liable of overloading" industrial fuel at its port in Limay, Bataan. Overloading caused "instability" to the MT Solar I and "render[ed] it unseaworthy for the voyage," the report said.

The MT Solar I was carrying some 2.2 million liters of bunker fuel when it sank off Guimaras Island in central Philippines on August 11. Some 200,000 to 300,000 liters of oil had been spilled into the sea, devastating the coastal villages in at least three provinces. However, evidence of a continued oil leak was observed during the recent weeks. Captain Norberto Aguro, skipper of the ill-fated tanker, was found "administratively liable of disabling lack of adequate training for oil tankers." The report also said Aguro failed to "exercise due dilligence in making the vessel seaworthy." Sunshine Maritime, meanwhile, was deemed "administratively liable for completely disregarding all mandated regulations" for the seaworthiness of vessels.

The investigators left it to the Department of Justice to determine the civil and criminal liability of the Petron, Sunshine Maritime and Aguro. DOTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza directed the Marina to file charges against the three parties. The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) and the Philippine Coast Guard, meanwhile, supposedly "committed lapses" in performing its mandated functions.

The investigators left it to the Department of Justice to determine the civil and criminal liability of the Petron, Sunshine Maritime and Aguro. Mendoza also directed the Marina to file charges against the three parties. The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) and the Philippine Coast Guard, meanwhile, supposedly "committed lapses" in performing its mandated functions.

Why M/T Solar 1 sank

The sinking of the MT Solar I was attributed to three key factors: (1) loss of residual stability or overloading, (2) loss of reserved buoyancy due to bad weather, and (3) the captain's "incomptence."

1. Overloading caused "instability" to the MT Solar I and "render[ed] it unseaworthy for the voyage," said DOTC Sec. Leandro Mendoza, who read the report findings. The MT Solar I was carrying some 2.2 million liters of bunker fuel when it sank off the Guimaras Island in central Philippines last August 11. The board, chaired by Rear Admiral Danilo Abinoja of the Coast Guard, reported that the sea vessel was overloaded by approximatedly 150 tons.

2. MT Solar I was also unable to properly stay afloat because its loadline, or the markings which show its safe buoyancy level, was "adjusted" from 1,220 mm to 700 mm. When the vessel sailed into rough seas during its final voyage, the forward compartments and top deck was flooded with seawater by an aggregate volume of 275 tons. "Bad weather and prevailing Southwest Monsoon and the probable flooding" of two ballast tanks was enough to force the vessel to turn "upside down," the report read.

3. Despite his best efforts to convince the panel, Aguro was found "lack[ing] of adequate training, a disabling error of judgement and a disabling lack of knowledge." Aguro, who had been seafaring for the past 25 years, had insisted that his chemical tanker operations license was secured before the government put up requirements for oil tanker operations. However, the Marina noted during one hearing that Aguro's licence with the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) was already expired as of 2002. Captain Norberto Aguro, skipper of the ill-fated tanker, was found "administratively liable of disabling lack of adequate training for oil tankers." The report also said Aguro failed to "exercise due dilligence in making the vessel seaworthy." Sunshine Maritime, meanwhile, was deemed "administratively liable of completely disregarding all mandated regulations" for the seaworthiness of its vessels.

As for the culpability of the Coast Guard and the Marina, Mendoza is expected to issue an order within the coming days calling for the formation of a new panel to determine the agencies' shortcomings. Abinoja said the new body will "look at the lapse within institution" of the maritime authorities. The panel will be headed by Cecilio Penilla, DOTC undersecretary for transport security. Abinoja said it will be given 30 days to complete its investigation.

BMI member Commodore Benjamin Mata told GMANews.TV that, "the report shows the independence of special Board of Marine Inquiry because the members were able to see the lapses of the Marina and the Coast Guard desptie the fact that our chairman is the deputy commandant of the Coast Guard and our vice chairman (Primo Rivera) is from the Marina."

Oil Smuggling?

The SBMI started its inquiry on August 29 and invited 19 resource persons from the MT Solar Icrew, Sunshine Maritime, ship inspection firms, Petron, a life raft supplier and the Marina. During the hearings, some BMI members noted that a hole on the side of the MT Solar I may have been punctured by another boat, raising suspicions that Sunshine Maritime was involved in oil smuggling. However, the conduct of such a crime was not among the findings released Thursday. Still, the BMI said it would ask the National Police and National Bureau of Investigation to look into the matter. GMANews.tv, Thursday, September 14, 2006

Guimaras Oil Spill Blogs

There are multiple BLOG sites that have, and continue to appear, all contributing to the worldwide awareness for what has happened and what needs to happen, in order to restore Guimaras. Here are the links to those BLOGs.

Project Sunrise a colaborative inititive between the Canadian Urban Institute, the Canadian International Development Agency and the Provicincial Government of Guimaras, Gov. JC Rahman Nava

Guimaras Oil Spill: News and Views on the Environmental Catastrophe developed by veteran business journalist and lifestyle columnist Stella Arnaldo.

Oil Spill an Environmental Tragedy GMA TV's Petron Oil Spill Reports on gmanews.tv

Ligtas Guimaras developed by Petron Corp.

Greenpeace developed this photo journal of the disaster.

Blue Screen Oil Spill Photographs by photographer Leo Solinap

Save Guimaras described as a 'youth action oriented group which aims to raise awareness on the recent oil-spill tragedy in Guimaras, Philippines and encourage grassroots participation by using available online tools.

Save Guimaras developed by Spain based freelance writer Tuesday Gutierrez

Salvage Operation Update

This link takes you to the presentation made by the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund and the Protection and Indemnity Club to the Philippine National Disaster Coordinating Council, Tuesday, September 12, 2006, based on the report (and photographs) by Fukada Marine and Salvage Works' vessel the Shinsei Maru.

M/T SOLAR 1 - What do we know?

1. 2.4 million liters bunker fuel on board when M/T Solar 1 sank. Petron reports that the loaded volume was 2,193,000 liters while the cargo tank capacity of the vessel was 2,228,000 liters or 98%. In terms of weight, the cargo was 2,064 metric tons versus the dead weight tonnage of 2,128 metric tons or 97%.

2. Bureau Veritas, International Inspection Group (France)
3. Sunshine Maritime Development Corp. owner 998-ton ship, launched in 1988
4. Philippine Trigon Shipyard, Cebu dry-dock, Glenn Dela Torre, owner
5. International Association of Classification Societies (IACS)
6. Board of Marine Inquiry (BMI)

7. The (BMI) believes the triangular hole and dents on the side of Solar I, as seen in the video taken by Shinsei Maru, were caused by a barge which came alongside the vessel. They raised the possibility of oil smuggling and the product was being siphoned from Solar I to a barge through a submersible pump.

8. The (BMI) has determined that the crew of the ill-fated tanker M/T Solar I had violated safety procedures when they failed to turn on signaling equipment that automatically send distress signals. Solar I radioman Herminio Regil told the board that their Emergency Position Indication Radio Beacon (EPIRB) and Search and Rescue Radar Transponder (SART) were turned off.

9. 18 surviving crewmen survived, two crewmen remain missing and presumed dead.
10. Petron Corp. chartered the vessel to ferry bunker oil from their port in Bataan to Zamboanga City.

11. The (BMI) has determined that Tanker Captain Norberto Aguro allowed two cargo surveyors of Petron to go onboard without presenting a seaman’s book. Captain Aguro also declared only 16 crewmen onboard, when in fact 20 persons were on board the vessel. The (BMI) also found that four of the persons listed as crewmembers were actually not onboard and instead, other individuals took their place.

12. The (BMI) has determined that the tanker sailed with several hatches open, as seen in the video taken by a remotely-operated vehicle of the Japanese survey ship
Shinsei Maru.

13. The vessel sank to the ocean floor in an "upright position," estimated to be at a depth of 640 meters.

14. Operators from the Japanese ship, Shinsei Maru, remotely operated vehicle (ROV), stated that "a look of the 10 compartments showed the gaskets already sustained some damage." "Compartment 4 was already open, and it was likely the oil that leaked out came from it." Capt. Luis Tuason, District Commander of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) for Western Visayas, reported that tank no. 2 on the ship's portside or left side of the ship, was apparently damaged and oil continues to leak from it. Each compartment has a capacity of about 275,000 liters of oil but it was not yet clear how much oil has leaked out.

15. The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) has determined that radio operator Herminio Reugel, pumpman Jessie Angeling and one of the three tanker oilers did not have valid General Tanker Familiarization Certificates.

16. The (Marina) determined that Tanker Captain Norberto Agoro did not have Advanced Training on Oil Tanker Operations, "which is required for the Master on board oil tanker." "Thus [Aguro's] COC (Certificate of Competency) limits him to serve on board chemical tankers only."

17. Tanker Captain Norberto Aguro has admitted to having been previously "banned" at the Petron Bataan Refinery in Limay, Bataan, where the MT Solar 1 loaded some two million liters of industrial fuel. Aguro said authorities in the petroleum facility had been irked after he had ignored procedures to have a tugboat pull a tanker, which he piloted, into the dock. He wanted to bring tankers in by himself, which was a less costly move that could be accomplished with his expertise. In his place, Aguro allowed Captain Victoriano Beronia, his auxillary master, to bring the MT Solar 1 into the pier on August 9.

18. The (Marina) determined that Tanker Captain Noberto Aguro violated safety procedures by failing to divert the MT Solar 1 from the Guimaras Strait on the eastern side of Panay Island when it was first tossed by rough waves on August 10, (a day before the sinking). The southwest monsoon was blowing strongly that time, when the MT Solar 1 was passing Dumali Point between Marinduque and Mindoro. Captain Aguro should have ordered his crew to take the western route around Panay Island where the seas would be calmer.







Petron Corp's Solar1 Oil Spill at Guimaras Island

Petron Corp... Did You know?

A publicly listed company, the Philippine government owns 40 percent of Petron. Another 40 percent is owned by Saudi Aramco, and the balance of 20 percent, by public shareholders.

Shareholders: (Top 10)
Philippine National Oil Company 40%
Aramco Overseas Company B.V. 40%
PCD Nominee Corp.(Foreign) 6.42%
PCD Nominee Corp. (Filipino) 5.39%
Home Development Mutual Fund 0.20%
Ansaldo, Godinez & Co. Inc. FAO Mark V. Pangilinan 0.09%
Siao Tick Chong 0.08%
Ernesto Chu Chiaco & Margaret Sy Chua Chiaco 0.06%
Marciano V. Pangilinan 0.05%
Aristeo Lascano Castillo 0.04%

A mixed group of government and Aramco representatives compose the board of directors of Petron, which remains a market leader with 40 percent control of the retail petroleum market.

Board of Directors
Nicasio I. Alcantara, Chairman
Khalid D. Al-Faddagh,
Basil A. Abul-Hamayel
Herminio S. Aquino
Alberto A. Pedrosa
Khalid G. Al-Buainain
Bernardo R. Abes
Douhan H. Al-Douha
Ahmad O. Al-Khowaiter

Executive Officers
Sulaiman M. Ababtain, Officer-in-Charge & V.P - Corporate Planning
Jose K. Campos, Jr., Vice President for Marketing
Antonio G. Pelayo, Vice President for Finance & Subsidiaries
Felimon E. Antiporta, Officer-in-Charge for Supply and Operations
Alfred A. Trio, Vice President for Refinery Division
Jose Jesus G. Laurel, General Counsel and V.P.- Legal & External Affairs
Ma. Concepcion F. de Claro, Accounting Manager
Rosario R. Eijansantos, Manager of Treasurer's Department
Luis A. Maglaya, Legal Counsel & Corporate Secretary

Petron Corp. Subsidiaries
1. New ventures Realty Corp. (NVRC)
2. Petrogen Insurance Corp.
3. Overseas Insurance Corporation (OVINCOR)
4. Petron Foundation, Inc. (PFI)
5. Petron Freeport Corp.
6. Petron Marketing Corporation (PMO)

Petron Corporation
39/F Petron MegaPlaza
358 Senator Gil Puyat Avenue
Makati City
Tel. No. +63 2 886-3888
Fax No. +63 2 886-3064

Petron Corp. said (Wednesday, August 23, 2006) it has no obligation to cover the cost of cleaning up the massive oil spill off Guimaras Island in central Philippines, nor even to extend economic aid to the communities devastated by the tragedy. "Petron is not under any legal or contractual obligation to set aside P10 billion in economic aid or to post a P100-million bond to pay for cleanup as under pertinent Philippine Coast Guard circulars, it is the spiller who is primarily responsible for conducting cleanup operations with the supervision of the Coast Guard," the oil firm said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE). "Petron, as mere cargo owner, did not cause the spill and had no part whatsoever in the operation of the vessel. GMA News

The Insurance Companies - Who is Going to Pay?

Stronghold Insurance Company, Inc (SICI)
Security Bank Center,17th Floor
6776 Ayala Avenue, Makati City
Telephone 63-2-891 1329-37
www.strongholdinsurance.com.ph

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
David C. Mercado, Chairman and SICI President
Amiel M. Mercado, Director and SICI Sr. Vice President
Rodolfo E. Mendoza, Director and SICI Sr. Vice President & Corporate Secretary
Romulo I. Delos Reyes, Jr., Director and SICI Executive Vice President & General Manager
Jose M. Sakdalan, Director and SICI Vice President
Corazon M. Fermin, Directo and SICI Sr. Vice Presiddent & Treasurer
Cornelio T. Rivera, Director

SICI cancelled the hull and machineries insurance policy of Solar 1 after the tanker's owners, Sunshine Maritime Development Corp. (SMDC), failed to settle the premium. SICI executive vice-president Romulo de los Reyes said SMDC took a hull and machineries policy worth P20 million for the Solar 1 last February. He added that SMDC failed to settle its premium worth P211,990. "We have to have payment for the policy so it will be in effect," he sa

Shipowners’ Mutual Protection and Indemnity Association Luxenbourg
99 Grand-Rue
L-1661 Luxenbourg

Manager - F.W. F. Tombs
The Shipowner's Protection Limited
St. Clare House
30-33 Minories
London EC3N 1BP
Telephone 44 (0) 20 7488-0911
Fax 44 (0) 20 7480-5806
www.shipownersclub.com
www.sopfast.com

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
R.D.M. Lenthall, Chairman, London
D.A. MacLeod, Vice-Chairman, Halifax, Nova Scotia
A.D.W. Allan, Edinburgh
C.A. Askins, Cape Town
M.C. Barraclough, London
A.H. Briggs, Cairns QLD
W.D Everard, London
R. Frising, Luxenbourg
Dr. D.C.S. Ho, Hong Kong
D.C.M. Jamieson, London
G.T. Kailis, Perth WA
J. Mudde, Rotterdam
Ong Kok Wah, Singapore
P.D.T. Roberts, London
Mme C. Rosso, Marseille
C.L. Van Meerbeeck, Antwerp

An insurance claim worth $301 million could also be rejected after SMDC violated one of the insurance company's rules on exclusions. The rule states that "there shall be no right of recovery of any claim from the Association if it arises out of willful misconduct on the part of the insured."

Insurance for Solar 1 Hits Snag

Owners of the M/T Solar 1 oil tanker could face problems in paying off claimants of the Guimaras oil spill due to possible rejection of their insurance claims, TV Patrol World reported Wednesday. Stronghold Insurance Company Inc. (SICI) cancelled the hull and machineries insurance policy of Solar 1 after the tanker's owners, Sunshine Maritime Development Corp. (SMDC), failed to settle the premium. Another insurance firm based in Luxembourg could also refuse insurance worth $300 million after the ship's owners allowed an unlicensed captain to man the vessel.

SICI executive vice-president Romulo de los Reyes said SMDC took a hull and machineries policy worth P20 million for the Solar 1 last February. He added that SMDC failed to settle its premium worth P211,990. "We have to have payment for the policy so it will be in effect," he said, adding that SICI had already informed the Insurance Commission about the rejection of the claim. SMDC president Clemente Cancio said the company will file charges against the insurance firm. "We used to be late in paying the premium but it was never a problem until now," he said.

Another insurance claim worth $301 million at the Shipowners’ Mutual Protection and Indemnity Association in Luxembourg could also be rejected after SMDC violated one of the insurance company's rules on exclusions. The rule states that "there shall be no right of recovery of any claim from the Association if it arises out of willful misconduct on the part of the insured."

SMDC earlier admitted before a Special Marine Board of Inquiry that it allowed Captain Norberto Aguro to man the Solar 1 despite failing to renew his license. SMDC, however, rejected the report, saying that the insurance company had already sent representatives to Guimaras to assess the possible amount of damages.

President Arroyo on Wednesday ordered the Department of Justice to build an "air-tight" case against the captain of the sunken M/T Solar 1 and officials of Petron Corp. and SMDC. "No one culpable in this national tragedy shall walk away scot-free," Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said in a statement. He said that the filing of cases against people allegedly responsible for the oil spill should be a reminder to oil companies and firms engaged in oil and chemical transport to cooperate with government agencies and institutions about their operations.

ABS-CBN Interactive News

An Appeal For Help - Gov. JC Rahman Nara

When Guimaras became a province in 1992, it was called “The Island to Watch” because of so much promises that its resources bring. Aside from mango, its signature crop, it has long stretches of white-sand beaches, remarkable dive spots and rich fishing grounds. These resources brought the best out of Guimaras, and took it out of the list of 20 poorest provinces in the Philippines.

However, fate turned cruel when disaster struck. On 11 August 2006, the tanker MT Solar 1 chartered by Petron Corp. to deliver at least two million liters of bunker fuel to Zamboanga, sank off our southern coast while battling rough waters. Several hours later, our long stretches of white-sand beaches, remarkable dive spots and rich fishing grounds became despicable sights with black, thick oil covering them. It's an 811 Tragedy for us!

Guimaras remained “The Island to Watch” but this time, it is a death watch. The sinking of the tanker gave a blow of death to us, hitting us where it hurts most. Yet, as we now gasp for air to survive the catastrophe, the source of the blow is just an arm-stretch away, delivering punches bit by bit until who knows when.

We are appealing for help to:

Immediately remove the tanker . All those who have so far responded to help us admit that they don’t have the capability to remove the tanker below. As long as it stays there, all efforts to clean our shores will be meaningless, and more and more coastal communities will suffer from hunger, thirst and diseases as the area covered by the slick expands. To those who have the facilities to dive and recover sunken vessels 600-700 meters underwater, you are our only hope.

Provide relief assistance. As of 20 August 2006, at least 4,000 coastal families have been directly affected by the spill. They are now experiencing food and water shortage because their livelihood have been crippled by the oil spill and groundwater have been rendered unsafe for drinking. Medicines, particularly for skin rashes and upper respiratory tract infections, are also needed by affected families. Provincial and municipal government funds are now running out.

Rebuild our lives. We need projects to assist our people restore their livelihoods. Two of our main economic drivers – tourism and fishery – have been rendered inutile. The environment that sustains us had been badly damaged. We hope that those who want to help will coordinate with Project Sunrise to ensure that efforts are coordinated and relevant, and minimize wastage of precious resources. Project Sunrise aims to improve the relief work by bringing together the resources, information, human resources and technology to be used in the relief operations in a transparent and accountable manner.

We have created this website to bring together compassionate and thoughtful citizens and organizations of the world and take common heroic responses to human sufferings caused by this disaster. We hope to receive your financial, technical expertise and talents needed in mitigating the risks brought by this disaster.

Together, we can work in restoring the environmental and economic future and solidarity of the Guimaras communities and neighbors.

JC Rahman Nava, M.D.,Governor, Province of Guimaras

31 Days of Agony

GUIMARAS – A month had passed since a Petron-chartered vessel carrying 2.1 million liters of oil sank in the Guimaras Strait, but MT Solar 1 remains at the bottom of the strait and could spill more bunker fuel.

According to the Philippine Coast Guard, about 350,000 liters of oil have spilled from the tanker since August 11. The remaining 1.8 million liters is an ecological time bomb that will cause long-term and possible irreversible damage to the environment and to the livelihoods of people, ecological watchdog Greenpeace warned.

While about 40,000 people in Guimaras and Iloilo provinces have been dislocated by the oil spill, the Japanese team that surveyed Solar 1 has yet to release its recommendation – either to entomb the tanker, siphon the remaining bunker oil from it, or re-float it.

The survey team is expected to release its recommendations sometime this week yet, according to the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC).

Meanwhile, fishermen in affected communities especially in Guimaras are facing a desperate and uncertain future. The oil spill has wreaked unimaginable havoc to the pristine marine resources of Guimaras, and to the livelihood and survival prospects of its people.

The Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) reported that 234.84 kilometers of coastline have been affected as of September 8, 15.8 square kilometers of coral reefs, 479.08 hectares of mangroves and 58 hectares of seaweeds.

The RDCC also recorded 1,070 persons with oil spill-related diseases/symptoms. Guimaras has the most number of sick persons – 999. The island province also has recorded two deaths as confirmed by the Department of Health (DOH).

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared on September 6 that the oil spill had been “contained”. Petron seconded her, saying that the “worst is over.” But not everybody bought their statements.

The worst may yet happen if the remaining containers of the tanker holding the remaining 1.8 million liters of bunker fuel will break open due to strong water pressure, warned Gerry Ledesma of the Negros Forest and Marine Conservation Foundation.

Ledesma said strong westerly winds bring strong sea current. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) agrees.

PAGASA officer-in-charge Dr. Prisco Nilo also said the oil spill cleanup must be fast tracked before the wind pattern reverses in November; he said the reversal could possibly “transport” the oil spill in the vicinity of the Visayas.

He added that from the current wind pattern from southwest to the northeast, the wind pattern will completely reverse, resulting to the transport of the spilled oil towards Mindanao and Southern Visayas area this November up to around February or early March.

The RDCC had identified 38 threatened municipalities – one in Guimaras, 16 in Iloilo and 21 in Negros Occidental. These are:

• Guimaras – Jordan

• Iloilo -- Miag-ao, Guimbal, Tigbauan, Oton, Leganes, Zarraga, Dumangas, Barotac Nuevo, Anilao, Banate, Barotac Viejo, Batad, Estancia, Carles (including Sicogon Island, Calagnaan Island, Binulwangan Island and Naburut Island), Concepcion (including Tagubahan Island, Igbon Island, Malangaban Island and Pan De Azucar Island) and Iloilo City (Villa in Arevalo and in Molo Districts); and

• Negros Occidental -- Himamaylan, Binalbagan, Hinigaran, Pontevedra, San Enrique, Valladolid, Pulupandan, Bago City, Talisay City, Silay City, E.B. Magalona, Victorias City, Manapla, Cadiz City, Sagay City, Escalante City, Ilog, Cauayan, Sipalay City, Hinobaan and Bacolod City.

Petron said it would continue to finance the cleanup and rehabilitation of the areas contaminated by the oil spill. Virginia Ruivivar, Petron’s public affairs manager, said in a weekly forum in Quezon City on Saturday that the company would fund the rehabilitation of the hundreds of oil-contaminated coastline in Guimaras and the hundreds of hectares of mangroves, as well as provide financial support to about 400 fisherfolk who have lost their livelihood.

Solar 1 owner Sunshine Maritime is claiming $6.7 million in insurance from the Shipping Owners of Luxembourg. The money would be used to pay for pollution damage, compensation for stricken communities, tourism loss and deaths resulting in the spill. Ruivivar said that if the fund would not be enough, Petron has a $315-million insurance claim with the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund that it could tap.

Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral said, "The department has propositioned standby resources at its field office in Iloilo City: P2 million for cash-for-work projects, P2.5-million stockpile of relief commodities and P1.2-million worth of relief goods from Mirant Philippine Foundation." Cabral said the United Nations is providing protective gear for the cleanup and will come up with an assessment program from the spillage. The UN has given the country access to $16-million, or P800-million, support fund for the oil spill.

Ruivivar said there are three phases in the rehabilitation program where the affected families could earn as much as P300 a day: the coastal cleanup, mangrove cleanup and mangrove replacement.

In the ongoing coastal clean­up, about 1,600 residents were already involved, Cabral said. Two members of each family spend four hours each, or eight hours per family per day. They receive the money in the afternoon. Figures from the department showed that as of September 8, Petron has spent P5.52 million as payment to the families hired as cleanup crews in the 29 affected barangays in the municipalities of Nueva Valencia, Sam Lorenzo, Sibunag and Jordan. The department, on the other hand, has provided relief augmentation assistance worth P1.4 million to the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council for rice, assorted canned goods and family packs, Cabral said. Cabral added that her department would also release an augmentation support of 3,333 sacks of rice worth P1.7 million to Guimaras.

Panay News, Sunday, September 10, 2006

Change in Wind Patterns to Worsen Oil Spill

ILOILO – The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said there is a need to fast track the MT Solar 1 oil spill cleanup before a typhoon affects Visayas in the coming weeks or before the wind pattern reverses in November.

PAGASA officer-in-charge Dr. Prisco Nilo said that the entry of a typhoon that could affect Guimaras would accelerate the transport of oil spill to the north. Nilo also said that if a typhoon would directly pass the site of the oil spill, the ocean current will cause the oil to spill in different directions. Nilo said the oil spill cleanup must be fast tracked before the wind pattern reverses in November which could possibly “transport” the oil spill in the vicinity of the Visayas.

He added that from the current wind pattern from southwest to the northeast, the wind pattern will completely reverse, resulting to the transport of the spilled oil towards Mindanao and Southern Visayas area this November up to around February or early March.

Panay News, Sunday, September 10, 2006

Petron's Insurer Begins Compensation Process in Guimaras

Petron Corporation said (Thursday, September 7, 2006) that the representatives of the International Oil Pollution Compensation (IOPC) Fund, its insurer for oil spill incidents, are conducting oil pollution claims and compensation workshops in Guimaras. These workshops are aimed at facilitating the claims-making process for the victims of the incident.

Sunshine Maritime’s insurer, the Protection and Indemnity Club (P&I), will cover the first tier of insurance (maximum amount $6.7 million). This includes pollution liability, damage to fixed and floating objects and to other properties, and wreck removal among others. Beyond that IOPC will extend compensation (maximum amount of $315 million) for “pollution damage” which covers clean-up costs, property damage,
consequential and economic loss.

“In line with our commitment to bring relief to the people of Guimaras as soon as possible, we have urged IOPC to immediately process the claims made by the victims of the Solar 1 incident,” Chairman and CEO Nicasio I. Alcantara said. “IOPC and P&I representatives have already met with affected communities including fishermen and those engaged in the tourism industry.”

The IOPC 1992 Fund was established as a result of the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage (1992 CLC). The Philippines became a member in 1999. Petron has paid out about P120 million to the Fund since that time.

Petron added that it was doing everything possible to speed up onshore clean-up operations in affected areas. Under its Ligtas Guimaras program, the company is employing about 1,500 people daily under a “Cash for Work” scheme in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). As of September 6, nearly 125 kilometers on shoreline has been cleaned and 1,300 metric tons of debris has been collected. The company has also been providing family relief packs for affected families. Petron has completed the distribution of the family packs to all the affected families and has begun a new round of distribution. There will also be another medical mission tomorrow and Saturday. Last week, Petron conducted a mission in Barangay Cabalagnan wherein hundreds of Guimaranons were given medical assistance.

“We wish to assure the people of Guimaras that we will do whatever it takes to restore the island to its former beauty.” Alcantara concluded.

Petron Corp.

Mangroves

DENR Sounds Alarm on Cutting of Oil-Soaked Mangroves in Guimaras
The regional Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) sounded the alarm for the proper treatment of oil-smeared mangroves after “an unidentified clean up force” was seen cutting the roots and branches of mangroves in two villages of Nueva Valencia. The cutting of the mangrove roots and branches “is harmful to the mangrove trees because it will open to further infection and will affect salt balance that will ultimately cause the death of mangroves,” said Julian D. Amador, DENR regional executive director.

A DENR statement quoted the DENR Mangrove Survey Team that reported an unidentified clean up force cutting the prop roots of several mangrove species in the coastal villages of Lucmayan and Cabalagnan this week in heaviest hit Nueva Valencia town.

Petron Corp. that contracted MT Solar 1 to ferry 2.1 million liters of bunker fuel oil from its refinery in Bataan to Zamboanga has hired more than 1,000 residents who are paid P300 a day for clean up operations.

The prop roots contain the lenticels which are the breathing organs of the Bakauan (Rhizophora) species. The pneumatrophores , cylindrical root-like protrusions on the ground which are the breathing organs of the Avicennia species such as bungalon (Avicennia marina), api-api (Avicennia officinales) piapi (Avicennia lanata) and others, were also cut, said the DENR. “Mangrove branches covered with oil were also cut,” said the DENR statement.

Mangroves protect sea grass beds and coral reefs from sedimentation and the intricate prop roots of bakauan and the pneumatrophores (“breathing organs”) of bungalon and pagatpat help retard sedimentation that can suffocate the sea grass and corals, said Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia or PEMSEA. "Fish use the spaces under the mass of prop roots of mangrove trees as 'delivery rooms,' and the offspring of many marine species spend their growing period in the mangrove swamps before moving on to the open,” said the Laguna-based Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development (PCAMRD).

The Regional Disaster Coordinating Council said that bunker fuel oil from MT Solar 1 has destroyed or heavily damaged the environment and marine life including sea grass (12 hectares), corals (30 ha), coastline (220 km), coral reef (15.8 sq km), mangroves (431.5 ha), seaweeds (58 ha) and fishponds (823.5 ha).
Amador appealed to the Guimaras provincial government, the Philippine Coast Guard, and Petron Corp. to assist the DENR in disseminating measures in the clean up operations inside the mangrove areas.

The measures which the DENR outlined are the following:

(1) Clean up should only include the collection of debris coated with oil found floating within mangrove stands or stranded/accumulated waste materials along the shore. (2) Avoid the cutting of any parts of mangrove trees. (3) People cleaning the mangrove areas should be careful not to trample the mangroves’ roots system. (4) Remove blockage of debris or any other waste within mangrove stands to provide adequate tidal exchange. (5) The use of any kind of dispersants, bioremediation and implementation of other clean up measures should be cleared with DENR or local authorities. (6) Amador further said that should any group need supervision in the cleaning of mangrove areas, it may coordinate with DENR personnel so that the office will re-deploy technical personnel to provide the necessary technical assistance.

Mangroves are home to 68 species of fish including bangus or milkfish and mullet, 54 species of crustaceans (shrimps, prawns, and crabs), and 56 species of gastropods like snails, whelks, and slugs.

Panay News, by Hazel P. Villa

Bioreactors and Guimaras oil spill

Oil-Eating Microbes Eyed The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is eyeing the use of naturally occurring microbes that feed on oil to clean up the spill off Guimaras island. The process is called "bioremediation" which hastens the natural biodegradation of oil through use of oil-eating microbes. The microbes to be used are the pseudomonas azelaica, serratia marcescens, and xanthomonas maltophilia, collectively known as "Pristine Sea."

Microbes Can Help Rid Seas of Black Sludge The corporate arm of the DENR said it planned to ask Petron Corp., the oil refiner that chartered the MT Solar I that sank on Aug. 11 while carrying two million liters of bunker fuel oil, to purchase from the United States a bioreactor that can produce the Pristine Sea product brand of microbes at a rate of 100 million/ml. A medium-sized machine costs $500,000 or roughly P25.5 million, according to Natural Resources Development Corp. (NRDC). “We’re working very fast because we recognize the urgency of the problem … This is an investment in infrastructure … If we get this machine, we can address oil spills immediately,”.

Some Aspects of the Environmental Safety of Commercial Oil Spill Bioremediation Agents Protocols and test systems have been developed to evaluate the efficacy and environmental safety of Commercial Bioremediation Agents (CBAs) intended for application on oil spills. The environmental safety protocols were tested with CBAs composed of a variety of ingredients including: nutrients, microorganisms, surfactants, enzymes, or a combination of these.

Science-Based Interventions to the MT Solar 1 Oil Spill

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issues daily updates on the southwest monsoon surge and provides operational wave models that are being used to help estimate of the extent of the oil displaced.

To dissipate public fears and concerns about the oil spill, the science community responds by presenting solutions to the short and long-term damages caused by the tragedy. DOST Secretary Estrella F. Alabastro, in a press conference held September 2, 2006 at the Sulo Hotel in Quezon City, presented a complete science-based response from clean-up to mitigation and rehabilitation interventions. Gen. Glenn J. Rabonza, executive administrator of the Civil Defense Office and executive officer of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), also gave Task Force Guimaras updates.

Clean-Up Interventions In her presentation, Secretary Alabastro said that the science-based response represents all the inputs of the science community, including academic institutions. DOST’s emphasis on “Bunot, not buhok” dispels the rising notion that hair may be the best material to control the sludge. Experts recommend using natural materials like coconut husks, rice straw, feathers and corn cobs/stalks in controlling the spill. DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development Graciano Yumul stressed that DOST does not recommend hair as a solution since there are no full studies to back it up and it is impractical in terms of volume. Human hair (“buhok” in Filipino) does not decompose easily, and once it is goes out to marine environment, it may be difficult to retrieve. Natural materials like coconut husk (“bunot” in Filipino) are easier to handle and they degrade faster.

Romblon, a coconut-producing province that established the first coco-methyl ester (CME) plant, has started to donate coconut husks for the cleanup operations in Guimaras. Feathers are also feasible, but they need to be dried well so as not to cause air pollution. Plans are also underway to conduct co-combustion or the re-use of the natural materials like coconut husks and rice straw used as improvised brooms to contain the oil. These materials will be collected to be re-used in a cement plant in Mindanao as alternative fuel and raw materials (AFR) for “cement kiln processing” and will be monitored by both DOST and DENR. The daily monitoring inputs of PAGASA on weather information, satellite imageries, and wave and ocean circulations model outputs will continue to guide agencies involved in the clean-up operations.

Oil spill impact assessments will also be undertaken in several areas with identified concerned agencies. Air, soil and water quality measurements will be established to determine the oil spill’s effects on marine ecosystem, including health hazards to those living in the affected coastal areas. To complete the environmental assessment, onshore geology will be studied. The UP-Visayas serves as the central repository of all data that will be generated.

Mitigation Plan for Residual Oil DOST’s Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) has developed a technology on bioremediation on-site or off-site with the use of a bioreactor. The institute has identified oil-eating microorganisms and the best strain is the Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This strain is used worldwide to treat coastal waters contaminated with oil spill. The ITDI has locally isolated this strain in the oil-contaminated estero in Pandacan. Once used in the affected areas in Guimaras, the microbes will eat up the oil blobs, eventually die naturally, and settle at the seafloor leaving no harmful effects on the ecosystem. Application of this technology will require the cooperation and assistance of PETRON, LGUs, DENR, and the UP System. ITDI is ready to deploy its technology.

Rehabilitation Protocols DOST also leads activities on rehabilitation plans for Guimaras with DENR, DA, DOH, DOE, LGU, UP System, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), MARINA and NAMRIA as partners. Said rehabilitation activities are as follows:

• Study of long-term effects of oil spill on coastal and marine ecosystems

• Study of meteorological effect on oil spill-impacted areas

• Determination of long-term effects of oil spill event on the health of the local populace

• Reintroduction of depleted marine species

• Continuous monitoring of air, water, soil, health and other elements until they reach normal acceptable levels

• Provision of climatological information in determining alternative sea routes

• Study on the possible effects of oil spill to groundwater resources

Immediate roundtable discussions will be conducted on said activities for tasking and establishing timetables. Rehabilitation programs with quantifiable results are also included in the implementation plans. Currently, all agencies concerned in the oil spill are in the response and relief mode. According to Gen. Rabonza, the rehabilitation mode will require implementation of S&T inputs. To facilitate the clean-up process, DOST will certify all agencies intending to test or implement their technologies or processes in the clean-up activities while DENR will issue permits for environmental concerns. This step is instituted to deter agencies or individuals who may hamper or cause confusion in the remedial measures being implemented.

Meanwhile, the testing laboratories of the DOST Regional Office in Iloilo are being used for analytical purposes. Other testing and analysis centers in Region 6 have have assured that the famous Guimaras mango and groundwater fishes are unaffected by the oil spill. Crustaceans, however, are contaminated and should not be eaten. (S&T Media Service)

Department of Science and Technology, September 8, 2006