NEWSFLASH

PANGASINAN FISH SANCTUARY BLACKENED BY OIL SPILL

Lingayen, Pangasinan, Feb. 2000 - The rich marine sanctuary around Santiago Island has been tainted by used oil and coal spilled from a cargo ship that hit a shoal 10 miles (26 kilometers) east of the island at the northwestern tip of Pangasinan.

The ship, reportedly from Australia, was on its way to the coal-fired power plant in Sual town and was already entering the Lingayen Gulf when the accident took place.

Mayor Jesus Celeste reported a fishkill in the waters along at least four barangays.

He said that the white sand beaches in the four Santiago Island barangays have turned black and become unsafe for swimming. If the oil slick is not contained soon, he warned, at least 10 barangays more will be affected and it will threaten even the waters surrounding nearby Siapar Island of Anda town.

“The oil have stuck on rocks, nets and other fishing gears and the water is so black. In fact, several fish pen cage owners in the island have began harvesting bangus (milkfish) prematurely for fear that these may also die soon because of the oil spill,” Celeste said.

Paul Flake, Southern Energy’s spokesperson, confirmed the accident but quickly added that “it’s not within our area of responsibility.”