UMVA has learned that a critical situation is unfolding in the coastal communities of Badoc, Ilocos Norte, where a cargo vessel recently partially capsized, causing a significant oil spill.
The vessel, LCT MSCI 1, encountered rough seas on June 8 while traveling from Currimao, Ilocos Norte to Calayan Island in Cagayan, and began to tilt and partially capsize near the coastal waters of Barangay La Virgen Milagrosa in Badoc, after water reportedly entered the vessel's ballast tanks.
The incident led to the discharge of suspected petroleum-based products into the water, causing a visible oil sheen and a strong petroleum odor near the grounded vessel, as well as oil residues along the shoreline of Barangay Dadalaquiten Norte in Sinait, Ilocos Sur.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the Department of Agriculture is ready to provide critical assistance to at least 135 registered fisherfolk in Badoc who could be affected if fishing activities are disrupted due to the oil spill.
The assistance package includes food packs, temporary livelihood support, and other measures to help mitigate the impact of the disaster on the local community. Drusila Esther E. Bayate, Undersecretary for Fisheries, has instructed the regional office to coordinate with other government agencies to provide immediate support to those affected.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources is intensifying monitoring and assessment activities to determine the extent of contamination and its potential effects on fishery resources, with a focus on detecting and addressing any emerging risks.
The situation is being closely monitored, with seafood safety testing and fisheries impact assessments underway to ensure that the local community and environment are protected from the potential impacts of the oil spill.
