By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Northern Negros Occidental assured the residents of Bacolod City’s Purok Magsungay that the cargo vessel that had run aground on their shoreline did not pose any danger of an oil spill.

Commander Joe Luviz Mercurio, PCG-Northern Negros Occidental station chief said, based on their records, the vessel ran aground in the area during the onslaught of Super Typhoon “Odette” in December of 2021.

He assured residents that the vessel no longer had any fuel as it had already been drained.

However, Mercurio said the craft is more of a threat to nearby marine sanctuaries, especially during bad weather.

He added that they have forwarded a letter to the vessel owner to recover or salvage the seacraft.

But he admitted that it could take some time as the owner, a politician from the outside province, is currently locked in “lengthy legal proceedings” in relation to the cargo ship.

When Super Typhoon “Odette” hit Negros Occidental, at least three sea vessels, including the said cargo ship, ran aground due to the strong storm surge.

The sea vessel had been abandoned for two years and was anchored at BREDCO Port prior to drifting to the shoreline of Purok Magsungay./DGB, WDJ