LINGAYEN – Fearing a possible negative impact from a recent coal spill, the provincial board of Pangasinan will conduct a probe Wednesday (March 15) into the reported coal spill along the wide coast in Agno town facing the South China Sea about two months ago.

 

Lawyer Verna Nava-Perez, the board secretary, said the probe was requested by first district Board Member Alice Pulido whose area covers the affected town, to determine its effects on the coralline area and to humans the rainwater draining into Dagupan from neighboring towns.

 

Perez said the investigation will be made by a committee composed of officials from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine National Police, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the local government leaders.

The owner of the 900-foot vessel will be invited to the hearings.

The vessel, Landing Craft Transport “Aisner”, owned by Asian Shipping Company based in Metro Manila, remains grounded in the rocky shore Sitio Talisay in Agno due to high waves caused by a storm.

 

The vessel is reportedly uncovered and coal continues to spill over whenever there are high waves.

 

Reportedly affected by the coal spill is 500 meters of the kilometer long swimming and fishing area in Sitio Talisay.

 

BFAR chemist Reggie Regpala based in Dagupan City said the coal could have released heavy metals to the water coal like mercury, lead, zinc and arsenic.–EVA

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments