Manila Today
Various environmental groups, advocates and affected residents from Southern Tagalog and National Capital Region (NCR) stormed the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) headquarters a month after the massive oil spills in Manila Bay, dubbed as the most recent environmental catastrophe in Philippine history.
Three consecutive oil spills from the sinking of MT Terra Nova (carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial oil fuel), to MTKR Jason Bradley (5,500 liters of diesel fuel), and MV Virola 1 (3,000 diesel fuel) have caused devastating consequences, especially for the more than 46,000 local fisherfolks who have been facing significant challenges in their livelihood brought about by the impacts of reclamations and destructive typhoons.
Since July 30, the oil spill has already covered an area of around 93.74 square kilometers in Manila Bay according to Philippine Statistics Authority. This is about 15% of the total NCR area.
While PCG officials have stated that they are ‘preparing for the worst’ due to the massive oil spills, protesters have criticized the impacts of reclamation and other environmental degradation in various coastal communities, particularly in Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog, and NCR, in addition to the effects of the oil spills.
“Itong mga oil spill na ito ay parte ng sistematikong kapalpakan at kainutilan ng gobyerno sa pagprotekta sa kalikasan dahil inuuna nito ang interes sa tubo ng malalaking korporasyon sa kabila ng mga greenwashing projects at programs nito,” said Jonila Castro, spoesperson of Akap Ka Manila Bay and advocacy officer of Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (KPNE).
[These oil spills are part of the systematic failures and incompetence of the government in protecting the environment, as it prioritizes the interests of large corporations’ profits despite its greenwashing projects and programs]
Hold PCG, San Miguel Corporation accountable
The MT Terra Nova is owned by Shogun Ships Co. Inc commissioned by SL Harbor Bulk Terminal Corporation which is a subsidiary of San Miguel Corporation (SMC)
According to KPNE, SMC not only owned the cargo fuel but also chartered the vessel under adverse weather conditions during the onslaught of typhoon Carina.
The group further denounced PCG’s participation after the said vessel was found to be unregistered and lacked the necessary permits but was able to transport oil.
“Hindi na bago ang mga pangyayaring ito. Matatandaan noong nagdaang taon, nagkaroon ng oil spill sa Oriental Mindoro dahil sa kainutilan at kapabayaan ng PCG kung saan hinahayaan niyang makapaglayag ang mga barko sa kabila ng pagiging kwestiyonable ng mga ito. Sino pa rin ang may-ari? Ang SMC na naman,” said PAMALAKAYA spokesperson Ronnel Arambulo.
[These incidents are not new. Recall that last year, there was an oil spill in Oriental Mindoro due to the incompetence and negligence of the PCG, which allowed ships to sail despite their questionable status. Who owns them? Again, it’s the San Miguel Corporation]
On February 28 last year, MT Princess Empress sunk off the coast of Naujan in Oriental Mindoro. The ship was carrying 800,000 liters of industrial fuel oil.
The massive oil spill reached Verde Island Passage, including the areas in Tablas Strait and Tayabas Bay, affecting major ecosystems across the provinces of Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, and Antique.
Similar to Terra Nova, it was SMC through SL Harbor Bulk Terminal Corporation which chartered RDC Reield Marine Services (RDC) to transport the MT Princess Empress from Limay, Bataan to Iloilo.
More than 30,000 local fisherfolks and residents have been affected. A fishing ban was also imposed which has only furthered their economic woes.
Arambulo noted the staggering environmental and agricultural losses, with an estimated P4.9 billion in agricultural damage and P7 billion in environmental damage.
He also noted that while the government has provided P15,000 in economic relief to those affected, this amount is inadequate given the ongoing scale of recovery as communities are still grappling with the long-term consequences of the oil spill.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources noted the cost of damage to the livelihood of Manila bay fisherfolks reaching to ₱351 million. This further pose a threat to food security, people’s health and ecological destruction with the apparent damage to mangroves, seagrass, coral reefs and fisheries in Manila bay.
Militarization in Baseco
In Baseco, residents are grappling with a trifecta of environmental and social crises: from the relentless flooding brought about by typhoon Carina, ongoing reclamation projects in Manila Bay, and the escalating urban militarization.
Baseco is Barangay 649 Zone 68 of the City of Manila. It has 56 hectares which is a reclaimed section of the Port Area of Manila under the jurisdiction of the Philippines Ports Authority. The shorefront became a coastal community whose livelihoods also depend on the Manila Bay.
“Dati, kalakhan ng kabuhayan ng mamamayang Baseco ay pangingisda. Dati noong wala pang reklamasyon, sagana ang Manila Bay sa isda, ngayong ultimo tahong ay hirap nang makaani,” said Michael Villagracia of Baseco People’s Alliance.
[Before, the main livelihood of the people in Baseco was fishing. Before reclamation, Manila Bay was abundant with fish, but now even shellfish are difficult to harvest]
According to reports, the early inhabitants of the area were fisherfolks from Visayas, mostly from Samar, and Bataan who built staging posts or temporary huts while fishing in the Manila bay.
Villagracia noted that the recent devastation wrought by Typhoon Carina only exposed the state negligence under Marcos Jr. administration to take account on environmental damages and lack of effective disaster response.
In addition to these environmental challenges, he added that Tondo also faces heightened military presence with troops from 11th and 12th Civil Military Operations being deployed in their area.
“Sa Baseco, nararanasan din namin pagliligalig ng mga militar at pagbabanta mula sa 11th at 12th CMO na nagpapakana ng fake surrenderees. Iyan ba ang ipinagmamalaki ni Marcos Jr. na bagong lipunan sa kanyang administrasyon?” Villagracia posed a question.
[In Baseco, we also experience harassment from the military and threats from the 11th and 12th CMO, who orchestrate fake surrenderees. Is this what Marcos Jr. convey for ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ (New Society) under his administration?]
On August 19, BAYAN Manila spokesperson Enrique Lozada Jr. was presented with an offer to join the so-called “balik-loob” program, which means returning to the fold, during a confrontation dialogue with an intelligence officer who intended to conduct surveillance on him.
“Hindi po tayo tutol sa pag-unlad. Ang gusto natin ay iparating sa pamahalaan na gusto natin ng pag-unlad na walang maiiwang mamamayan, sa pag-unlad dapat lahat ng mamamayan ay uunlad. Isang malaking hamon ito sa atin na patuloy mag-organisa, magmulat sa kapwa Pilipino, at tumindig para sa kalikasan at singilin si Marcos Jr. sa kanyang kapabayaan,” Villagracia added.
[We are not against development. What we demand to the government is that we desire development that leaves no one behind; a development that should benefit the many. This is a major challenge for us to continue organizing, educating our fellow Filipinos, standing up for the environment, and holding Marcos Jr. accountable for his negligence]
