Ex-lawmaker slams coal spills in 2 provinces
A former lawmaker has condemned last month’s coal spill in Sorsogon and Zambales, warning of their catastrophic impact on fisherfolk communities, marine ecosystem and public health.
Former ACT Teachers party list Rep. Antonio Tinio said the coal spill in Sorsogon has already resulted in fish kills and the death of marine life, while the Zambales incident has endangered the Masinloc-Oyon Bay Protected Seascape and Landscape, a critical marine sanctuary.
“As we are still conducting relief operations in Bicol in the aftermath of Severe Tropical Storm ‘Kristine,’ we are now confronted with these environmental disasters that threaten the livelihood of our fisherfolk and the integrity of our marine sanctuaries” he said in a statement.
“These incidents expose the inherent dangers of our continued dependence on coal. Not only does coal contribute to climate change when burned for energy, but its transportation also poses severe risks to our communities and environment,” he added.
A barge carrying an unspecified amount of coal capsized in the waters off Barangay Buenavista, Sorsogon City, during the onslaught of Kristine last month.
In Zambales, a barge, carrying over 11,000 metric tons of coal, ran aground at the Masinloc-Oyon Bay Protected Seascape and Landscape, the first marine protected area in Central Luzon and considered one of the key biodiversity areas in the country.
The barge, which came from Semirara in Antique en route to La Union, temporarily stopped on San Salvador Island at the height of Kristine.
According to authorities, the barge bumped into coral reefs and spilled its cargo.
Tinio appealed to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Philippine Coast Guard and other concerned agencies to contain these coal spills and conduct thorough investigation.
“Our fisherfolk, who are already struggling due to recent typhoons, are now faced with the prospect of long-term damage to their fishing grounds,” he said.
“The companies responsible must be held accountable and should provide compensation to affected communities,” he added.
Tinio emphasized the urgent need to transition to renewable energy sources.
“These disasters underscore the need to phase out coal dependency and shift to sustainable energy alternatives. We cannot continue putting our communities and environment at risk for the sake of dirty energy,” he said.
