Coast guard studies Chevron liability in Batangas Bay oil leak

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Wednesday, February 3, it is determining the fines to be imposed on Chevron for spilling oil into Batangas Bay.

The leak occured at around 5 pm on Tuesday while the giant oil firm was loading bunker fuel into Sunrise Sampaguita, while the vessel was moored at its oil depot in San Pascual town in Batangas, south of Manila.

While it declared the oil spill is under control, the PCG said a total cleanup of the Batangas Bay is still needed. “Its (bunker fuel’s) chemical composition is bad for the sea,” said PCG spokesperson Commander Armand Balilo.

By the coast guard’s estimates, about 100 liters of fuel spilled into the bay. Chevron workers immediately deployed oil spill booms within 200 meters to contain the leak. A team from the PCG’s Marine Environment Protection Command was also deployed.

The leak was “fully contained” by 7 pm, the PCG said, and “the leaked product has so far been recovered from sea and the wharf platform.”

About 60 liters of bunker fuel and 5 drums of water mixture were retrieved during the cleanup, the PCG said. – Rappler.com