Environmental activists blamed the oil industry and the Marcos regime for the ongoing oil spill from the sunken ship MT Terra Nova in Manila Bay. They said the oil industry should be held responsible for the damage caused by fossil fuel to the ecological system, the livelihood of communities, and the people’s wellbeing.

The MT Terra Nova is carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial oil for transport to the island of Panay. This is the second large-scale oil spill under the Marcos regime, following the sinking and oil spill from the MT Princess Empress last year. The MT Terra Nova and MT Princess Empress both have long-term contracts with Petron Corporation.

Agham scientists said the oil that usually leaks from ships is a health hazard to humans, as these contain toxic materials such as mercury, arsenic and lead. These can cause skin irritation, respiratory irritation and cancer. It is also unsafe to breathe its fumes.

It also has a severe impact on the environment and wildlife such as birds and other marine life. The chemicals leave longterm effects on fish reproduction, which will mean a drop in fishers’ catch long after the oil spill is gone.

The oil cargo of the ship MT Terra Nova reportedly started leaking on July 27, two days after it sank in Limay, Bataan due to strong winds and Typhoon Carina. This is despite repeated statements by the Philippine Coast Guard that it will be easy to retrieve the oil cargo because the ship sank on a relatively shallow area and close to the coast. Yet two days later, PCG has yet to start syphoning the oil from the ship.

Pamalakaya reported today that the leak has reached the coast of Tanza, Cavite, which is 12-14 kilometers away from the sunken ship.

“What we feared has happened; the oil has spread to the greater part of Manila Bay disrupting the livelihoods of many fisherfolk,” Ronnel Arambulo, vice chairman of the group, said. “Here in the town of Tanza alone, over an estimated 5,000 fisherfolk will be affected if the spreading oil is not stopped immediately.”

Greenpeace Philippines reported that the oil spill has reached Hagonoy, Bulacan. The group conducted an investigation yesterday, July 28, in Isla Tibagin to confirm reports from fisherfolks in the area. They encountered no PCG ship monitoring the oil spill in the area.

In the latest reports, the oil slick is already visible from Barangay Pamarawa in Malolos, Bulacan.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said in a worst case scenario, the livelihood of up to 19,000 fisherfolk in Bulacan and Cavite will be adversely affected. The agency estimated they will lose up to ₱152 million in income for every month that they are not allowed to fish. Pampanga fisherfolk may lose up to ₱7.6 million per month. This has a big impact on the food supply in Central Luzon and Metro Manila. Even now, the PCG has already banned fishing in the entire Manila Bay.

Adding to the problem was the sinking of another ship identified as the “MTKR Jason Bradley” near the coast of Mariveles, Bataan on July 27. It was not carrying oil but its diesel fuel has already started to leak.