Power barge explosion leads to massive oil spill on Iloilo Strait

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Power barge explosion leads to massive oil spill on Iloilo Strait
Published July 3, 2020, 8:55 PM

by Tara Yap

https://mb.com.ph/2020/07/03/power-barge-explosion-leads-to-massive-oil-spill-on-iloilo-strait/

At least 48,000 liters of bunker fuel were spilled into the Iloilo Strait, the body of water separating Iloilo City and the island province of Guimaras, after a power barge exploded Friday afternoon.


An aerial view of the spillage of the bunker fuel that gushed out of Power Barge 102 owned by AC Energy Corp. in Iloilo City Friday afternoon. (Leo Solinap)
Based on the incident report of the Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (Iloilo City DRRMO), various government response teams and volunteer fire groups have been trying to contain the spillage of bunker fuel in an area of more than 1,299 square meters.

Power Barge 102 owned by AC Energy Corp. was carrying around 200,000 liters of oil. The barge was previously owned by National Power Corp. (NAPOCOR)

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PCG FILES CRIMINAL COMPLAINT VS AC ENERGY INC. FOR OIL SPILL INCIDENT IN ILOILO CITY

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has filed a criminal complaint against AC Energy Inc. and its concerned officers for violation of Section 107 of Republic Act (RA) 8550 or The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, as amended by RA 10654 on aquatic pollution at the Iloilo Provincial Prosecutor’s Office yesterday, 10 July 2020.

Commander Joe Mercurio of the Coast Guard Station – Iloilo, together with the Coast Guard Legal Affairs Team, found sufficient evidence to prove the negligence of said thermal energy company, its President, John Eric Francia, and Power Barge Number 102 Plant Manager, Roberto Gambito that led to the oil spill incident in Iloilo City on 03 July 2020.

The explosion of Power Barge Number 102 contaminated the coastal areas of approximately 23 communities in Iloilo City, municipality of Dumangas, and Guimaras, as well as a one-hectare mangrove forest in Iloilo. It also displaced hundreds of families or 400 locals who peacefully reside in the said areas when the incident occurred.

PCG Commandant, Vice Admiral George V Ursabia Jr assures that the service will proactively perform further legal actions to ensure that justice will be served, while working double time on the recovery and rehabilitation efforts to restore safe living conditions for the residents, and the aquatic flora and fauna in the vicinity waters of the most affected communities.

“Let this incident be a reminder to all industry stakeholders that even the slightest negligence can pose direct or indirect threat on the health and safety of the people, as well as living and non-living aquatic resources. The PCG, as a law enforcement body in marine environmental protection, will ensure that the failure of one company serves as a relevant lesson to others. We need everyone’s cooperation to protect and conserve our limited marine resources,” the Coast Guard chief said.

Section 107 of RA 8550 states that “upon a summary finding of administrative liability, the AC Energy Inc. and its concerned officers shall be punished with fine of Php 300,000 – Php 500,000 and an additional fine of Php 15,000 per day until the violation ceases and the fines are paid, the imposition of cease and desist order, closure or suspension of the development, construction or facility, or cessation of operations, or disconnection of water supply. The order may be issued ex parte pending resolution of the case.

Upon conviction by a court of law, the offenders shall be punished with imprisonment of six years and one day – 12 years and a fine twice the amount of the administrative fine, and an additional fine of Php 15,000 per day until the violation ceases and the fines are paid, the imposition of cease and desist order, closure or suspension of the development, construction or facility, or cessation of operations, or disconnection of water supply. The order may be issued ex parte pending resolution of the case.”