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Sto. Domingo, Albay: A palay plantation measuring over seven
hectares was affected by the reported oil spill from Pacific Cordage
Corp., a fiber company owned by a Taiwanese that produces commercial
ropes.
Residents of Lidong village complain of putrid
smell brought about by the oil spill and could lead to pulmonary
disease specifically among the children in the community.
Rogerio Baloloy, Lidong barangay chairman, told
The Manila Times that the extent of the damage to the palay
plantation could not be determined as yet. “In a week or two we
will see the effect of the chemical contamination,” he continued.
The oil spill took place at about 4 a.m. on
Wednesday, said Roland Balanta, 27, a farmer of Lidong village whose
farmland was affected by the oil spill. Mayor Celso de los Angeles
told The Times that he immediately organized the quick reaction team
composed of disaster officials to contain the spillage and prevent
its massive effect on the communities.
Angeles also directed the health and
environmental authorities to conduct water sampling testing to find
out if there is water contamination and this whether this could have
a possible affect on the marine life.
“The oil spill from the farmlands went as far
as the coastline of Lidong, so I asked the health and environment
officials to conduct water sampling to check the effect of the
spillage,” Angeles said.
“Although the management of the Pacific
Cordage Corp. helped in stopping the spillage. They provided the
abaca materials to help absorb the oil for proper disposal,” he
continued.
Angeles also warned the management of Pacific
Cordage Corp. that his office would not renew the company’s permit
until safety measures are in place to avoid a repeat of the
incident.
The Times tried to get the side of Pacific
Cordage Corp. management but a security guard identified as Willy
Adra said that company officials were not yet ready to issue a
statement or talk to local media men.
-- Rhaydz B. Barcia
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