INQUIRER FILES
SAN ANTONIO, Zambales — A barge carrying over 11,000 metric tons (MT) of coal ran aground in Masinloc Bay in this province, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) confirmed on Friday, October 25.
In a phone interview, Euphraim Jayson Diciano, chief of the PCG Zambales, said their Masinloc sub-station received a report from Bantay Dagat at noon on Thursday about the incident.
Article continues after this advertisementAlthough the PCG initially attempted to launch a rescue operation, it had to be aborted due to bad weather.
FEATURED STORIES NEWSINFO DBM OKs earlier release of gov’t workers’ yearend bonus, cash gift NEWSINFO Tropical Storm Kong-rey to enter PAR on Sunday, to be named Leon NEWSINFO Kristine death toll hits over 40 as damage widensAccording to the initial report, the barge Katapatan 2 sought shelter approximately 800 meters from the shoreline of San Salvador Island as Severe Tropical Storm Katherine brought strong winds and rough seas.
The boat was carrying more than 11,200 MT of coal from Semirara, Antique.
Article continues after this advertisementBy 6 p.m. on the same day, the barge ran aground.
Article continues after this advertisementIt is now situated about 400 meters from the island’s shore.
Article continues after this advertisementResidents reported the barge struck corals in a nearby fish sanctuary, and coal has begun spilling into the water.
“If the coal spill worsens, it will pose a significant challenge for us, as we have limited experience in handling such incidents,” Diciano said.
Article continues after this advertisementHe added: “Coal is a raw material that must be collected manually, unlike oil, which can emulsify or dissipate on its own.” INQ
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