𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓: The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Marine Environmental Protection reports clean-up operation has now reached 95 percent completion with the five percent remaining as stains on the rocks, trunks and substrates after the joint partner agencies responded to an oil spill incident at Barangay Tabangao, Batangas City from 03 August 2023 up to present.

The incident was reported last 02 August 2023 around 11AM by Ms Jemen Pargas, representative of the Pilipinas Shell Terminal in Barangay Tabangao, Batangas City.

Joint team of Marine Environmental Protection Group (MEPGROUP)-Batangas and Coast Guard Sub-Station (CGSS) Batangas, officials of Barangay Tabangao, JN Ber Gas Station Company, Malampaya Onshore Gas Plant, City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) immediately proceeded to the affected area to monitor and conduct area assessment.

Investigation revealed that 500 up to 1000 liters of used oil had affected approximately 800 meters of the river bank and mangrove area, per monitoring last 02 August 2023.

The spill was brought about by the disposal by one of the JN BER Gas Station personnel, owned and operated by Jefferson Berberabe. The PCG personnel discussed the responsibility and liability of the spiller for the clean-up and recovery operations. In addition, MEGRP Batangas already informed and coordinated about the spill and actions taken by all concerned agencies.

Said team discussed the response and cleanup objectives and strategies in conducting manual recovery using absorbent pads and booms and assessed the impacted area with DENR-CENRO.

MEPGRP personnel immediately deployed a fence-type oil spill boom which was lend by the Pilipinas Shell Tabangao Terminal to contain the spill. The PCG's Marine Science Technician (MST) personnel collected oil samples for oil fingerprinting analysis. Samples were taken from the affected area and the storage tank of the subject gasoline station. In coordination with the PENRO laboratory, water samples were also taken for water quality monitoring.

Manual recovery was employed using absorbent pads and booms to prevent damage to the mangrove areas. The MEPGRP personnel supervised the clean-up and recovery operation being conducted by the hired affected residents within the area. Meanwhile, the DENR-EMB Batangas discussed the proper storage and disposal of the collected waste and the environmental compliances of the spiller.

To date, MEPGRP personnel is supervising the clean-up operation and recovery, focusing on the heavily affected area. All collected waste will be stored in drums for proper disposal.

Progress report to follow.