The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) responds to an oil spill incident in the vicinity waters off Barangay Benit, San Ricardo, Southern Leyte at around 11:30AM on 07 July 2023.

The incident occurred approximately 500 meters from one of the two suspected vessels, LCT Georgia-1.

During the initial investigation, LCT Georgia-1 Captain Dioel Ganuhay shared they sighted the oil spill 13 minutes after docking at the Port of Benit. They departed from Port of Lipata, Surigao del Norte.

The PCG, concerned LGU, and volunteer residents immediately conducted clean-up operations.

At around 5PM, Coast Guard Station Southern Leyte Commander, CG Lieutenant Commander Donna Liza Duran, reported minimal traces of oil left in the affected vicinity waters.

Hence, she said there was no need to lay an oil spill boom for containment.

However, the team continued clean-up operations as they still observed traces of oil along the shoreline.

At around 8AM on 08 July 2023, the PCG's Marine Environmental Protection Group-Southern Leyte conducted oily water mixture sampling on board LCT Georgia-1 and MV San Ric Ferry 20 for fingerprinting purposes.

The team temporarily ended the shoreline clean-up operations at around 4PM after collecting five sacks of oily debris along the shoreline of Barangay Benit.

The shoreline clean-up operations resumed yesterday morning, 09 July 2023.

[Progress report to follow]