THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Monday continued its cleanup of an oil spill along the shoreline of Barangay Benit, San Ricardo in Southern Leyte.
In an incident report, the PCG said the cleanup which resumed on Sunday morning is ongoing after collecting five sacks of oily debris on Saturday.
The oil spill incident occurred at around 11:30 a.m. on July 7, about 500 meters from one of two suspected vessels of origin, LCT Georgia-1.
During the initial investigation, LCT Georgia-1 Captain Dioel Ganuhay sighted the oil spill 13 minutes after docking at the Port of Benit. it came from the Port of Lipata in Surigao del Norte.
“The PCG, concerned local government unit (LGU), and volunteer residents immediately conducted clean-up operations,” it said.
At 5 p.m. of July 7, PCG Station Southern Leyte commander, CG Lt. Commander Donna Liza Ramacho, reported minimal traces of oil left in the affected waters.
“There was no need to lay an oil spill boom for containment,” it said.
However, cleanup operations continue after observing traces of oil along the shoreline.
