Oil Spill Threatens Marine Ecosystems: Assessment Conducted in Oriental Mindoro

On February 28, 2023, an oil spill disaster struck as the oil tanker MT Princess Empress encountered engine trouble amidst turbulent weather conditions, including strong winds and high waves. The tanker, which was carrying 800,000 liters of industrial fuel, eventually sank, releasing a massive amount of oil into the sea. The spill has now spread, endangering 21 marine protected areas in the region and reaching the shores of Pola, Oriental Mindoro.

The environmental impact of the oil spill has raised significant concerns, particularly for the marine biodiversity in the affected coastal areas. To assess the full extent of the damage, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB), in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Oriental Mindoro through the Provincial Agriculturist’s Office, conducted a comprehensive assessment of the situation from March 7 - 10, 2023.

Mindoro State University (MinSU) was invited to join the assessment, with Dr. Katherine P. Sanchez-Escalona, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, serving as an expert facilitator. Dr. Sanchez-Escalona, an Environmental Planner and certified Open PADI Diver, helped evaluate the spill’s impact on the province’s marine biodiversity.

The assessment covered several coastal municipalities, including Naujan, Pola, Pinamalayan, Bansud, Bongabong, Roxas, Mansalay, and Bulalacao.

The assessment teams focused on identifying the extent of oil contamination along the shorelines, monitoring affected marine life, and documenting the damage to vital ecosystems, among others.

Alongside government institutions, local communities, environmental groups, and stakeholders are working together to address the crisis and ensure the protection of Oriental Mindoro's ecosystems and biodiversity for future generations.