UPV bares study results of Petron oil spill impact assessments

September 19th, 2007 by Site Administrator

A year after the tragic M/T Solar 1 oil spill in Guimaras, the University of the Philippines in the Visayas presented study results and reaffirmed its commitment of support to the barangay officials and local government unit of Nueva Valencia in Guimaras. A forum that bared the impact of the oil spill was held at the Municipal Hall of Nueva Valencia on September 13, 2007.

Newly-elected Mayor Alejandro Araneta requested for an update on UPV’s impact assessment of the Petron 1 oil spill. He also aired his constituent’s concerns and anticipations of the research outputs of UPV that could be of help to Nueva Valencia’s residents.

Chancellor Glenn D. Aguilar reiterated UPV’s commitment to do constant monitoring and looking into the status of the environment and the welfare of the people of the Nueva Valencia. UPV has a time frame of five years in its research work on the impact of the oil spill. This five-year research work started in 2007 and expected to last til 2012. Nueva Valencia is the most affected municipality in the province of Guimaras with 16 out of its 22 barangays hit by bunker oil, including the Taklong Island Marine Reserve maintained by UPV.

Eleven papers were presented. A research on the “Impacts on Water Sediment Quality” delivered by Mr. Leandro Gamarcha revealed that there is a high concentration of Solvent Extractable Materials and Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon weeks after the spill, which connotes heavy pollution in the water. This, however, lowered after six months. Research finding also showed that of the 16 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) found in the area, seven have possible carcinogens. Taklong Island has the highest PAH possible carcinogen concentration, according to Gamarcha.

Dr. Marie Frances Nievales’ research on the Impact on Marine Organisms revealed that months after the oil spill, there is a decline in richness of species density, shift in species composition, high mortality of eggs and marine organisms during the early stages. They also noted absence of memipteria (bisugo) which is usually present all year round and is a major contributor of fish catches.

Prof. Nestor Yunque’s report of Impact on Mollusks showed that mollusks in Tandog and Taklong were highly affected among coastal areas when they compared population level of mollusks in mangrove areas after the spill. His group is continually monitoring the population of mollusks, particularly the Imbaw clam.

Dr. Sadaba’s research on the Impact on Mangroves bared that only 0.168% of the total mangrove population died. New growth on mangroves were noticed although it is still premature to declare that the mangroves have recovered. Mangroves appeared to have prevailed according to Dr. Sadaba but are suffering. Stress on the mangroves is imminent because of abnormal flowering, lowering of canopy height due to dying of its top portion, and finer growth of leaves. This was also reinforced by their findings in the Litter Production Monitoring (which placed baskets to trap and catch droppings from mangrove trees) that showed the average litter fall to be greater in Tandog and Taklong which were severely affected by bunker oil compared to “control” areas or those mangrove sites not affected by the spill.

Dr. Gilda Po discussed the Impacts on Microorganisms. Her group looked into bacteria and fungi that can be used for Bio-remediation, a process of taking away bunker oil using bacteria. According to her, there are two kinds of bio-remediation – bio-augmentation, where bacteria is added to contaminated sites, and bio-stimulation, where nutrients are added to the site to fertilize the existing bacteria which will eat the oil. According to Dr. Po, Taklong’s beachfront have the highest concentration of bacteria that can degrade oil and can eat petroleum. Hence, she proposed the use of bio-stimulation for bunker oil containment in the site.

Ms. Liberty Napilan, in behalf of Dr. Merlina Andalecio, discussed the Impacts on Aquaculture which relayed that 73% of fishponds are affected while 100% fish pen operators are affected. The impact can be largely felt through the decrease of production yield, increased input expense, marketing problems, financial losses, deteriorating quality of seed stock, loss of income, and inability to secure seedling replacement, among others.

Dr. Alice Ferrer shared her research finding on the Impacts on Health which showed that a greater number of residents felt symptoms of illness after spill. Common forms are respiratory illnesses (cough and colds), and shortness of breath and dizziness.

Dr. Rodelio Subade talked on the Economic Income – Potential Income Loss which measured economic losses of residents from the indirect use value of mangroves and economic losses due to the dying of sea grasses. According to him there should be satisfaction derived from the value of leaving the natural resources intact for the future generations.

Prof. Jorge Ebay mentioned in his study on the Socio-economic Impacts the loss of a main source of livelihood and the loss of privacy especially for those who were asked to move to evacuation centers. He also noted that so far there is still no appropriate government program to address the problems on livelihood or an alternative agenda that would respond to this loss of income source.

Dr. Joy Lizada disclosed the results of her study on the Economic Impacts-Foregone Income including the information that an average annual income of P155,603.00 has become foregone income. She also emphasized that when there is fishing as a source of livelihood in a household, an annual predetermined income loss is really imminent.

Prof. Ricardo Babaran shared his findings from his research on the Effects of Bunker Oil on catch gillnets and suggested that there is a need to think about how to lessen dependence on fishing and find alternative livelihood for the fishermen because fish catch has evidently decreased over the years.

Dr. Resurreccion Sadaba revealed that a five-year monitoring and rehabilitation program of the UPV Marine Biological Station, Taklong Island National Marine Reserve’ is underway. This would include the following areas of study: habitats and the environment, important aquatic organisms, fisheries and resources, and social and health conditions.

The Open Forum that followed became a venue for the residents to air their trepidations about translating the research findings into common value and uplifting their current plight including the lifting of advisories regarding fish catch and shellfish collection.

In closing, Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension Ma. Luisa Mabunay cited her hope for more of the same undertakings wherein the university can share with the community their research findings and at the same time hear the resident’s apprehensions in the hope of giving solutions to these later. (Anna Razel Ramirez, www.upv.edu.ph)