No environmental threat from Chinese vessel assured
AGNO—An official of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has allayed fears of residents in this coastal town over a possible oil spill from a Chinese cargo vessel carrying marine diesel oil and asphalt that ran aground and has remained in the area since December 19.
Capt. George Ursabia Jr., commander of the PCG’s District Northern Luzon in Sual that has jurisdiction over the coastal areas of Pangasinan, said MV Changda 12 that ran aground in Barangay Macaboboni is being salvaged by a Malayan Towage Corporation.
The vessel’s cargo of 13,000 liters of marine diesel oil has been siphoned by a tugboat since PCG allowed it on Dec. 23.
‘There’s no more threat to the environment,” Ursabia assured.
Last week, the holes of the vessel were being patched from the inside to remove water in preparation for pulling it out from the area.
Ursabia said it was the PCG that initiated contact with the towing company as the vessel’s owner had not shown up despite efforts to reach him.
Ursabia said he wanted to immediately clear out the vessel that could pose a threat to the environment given its cargo.
MV Changda 12 came from Indonesia en route to China loaded with the diesel oil and 6,000 metric tons of industrial asphalt called bitumen.—Eva Visperas
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
