Rush Containment Measures:

A major oil spill that might reach the capital, Manila, has been contained by Exxon Mobil’s floating barriers and suction hoses. The move occurred so fast that it is going to contain the environmental disaster, as per the capsizing of MT Terra  Nova, which acted in the heavy monsoon pounding the country since Thursday.

Source of the Leak:

The authorities said the spill came from the engine of the ship and not from its cargo tank, which was loaded with almost 1.5 million liters of industrial fuel. Indications show that the spill is huge, spanning several kilometers and presents a very real environmental threat. This can still be the worst oil spill that has befallen the country if not contained very soon.

Getting Ready for the Worst:

Rear Admiral Armand Balilo, spokesman for the coast guard, said, “We are talking about industrial fuel here. It will definitely affect the marine environment and could even reach us here in Manila.” He added they are undertaking wide-ranging preparations for the worst-case scenario, putting emphasis on the need to keep the capital’s shores and the marine ecosystem safe.

Environmental and Economic Impact:

Hernando Bacosa, a Mindanao State University environmental science expert who has closely tracked the spill, estimated it could involve as much as and said the amount of oil being spilt warranted the highest alert. “Manila Bay is where the Port of Manila is, the biggest port in the Philippines and the center of trade and economic activity. This could possibly paralyze the capital and the neighboring areas,” said Bacosa.

Compounding Disasters(Heavy Monsoon Rains and Typhoon Gaemi): 

Continuing their onslaught, torrid monsoon rains exacerbated by Typhoon Gaemi combined to make the oil spill disaster worse with massive flooding that submerged Metro Manila and its surrounding counties and cities. That typhoon further added to the sinking of MT Terra Nova and to the capsizing of another by Administrative Expenses.

The Sinking of MT Terra Nova:

The MT Terra Nova headed for Iloilo in central Philippines before it capsized, involving a total of 17 members of the crew. One crew member reportedly died while 16 were redeemed. An investigation is ongoing to identify the prime cause of the disaster. “They felt that the waves were really strong. The captain decided to go back to shore, but it was difficult because they are sailing against the waves. They said the ship scooped up water until it finally capsized.”

International Response and Cooperation:

Such a disaster now requires international support and cooperation as the Philippine Coast Guard tries to put a cork in the flow of oil. Speed and synchronization of the responses are the first keys to lowering long-term environmental and economic damages caused by this disaster. The world holds its breath, as the events unfold, since this episode only serves to reiterate global brotherhood at the time of a crisis for the environment.

Potential long-term environmental damage:

Threat of an industrial fuel spill in Manila Bay: The impacts of this should be repetitive and touch marine life and possibly the very many coastal communities depending on such resources. A spill of marine fuel of this nature will damage habitats, hit local fisheries, and affect livelihoods that depend on the bay’s resources. What the Philippine government is encouraging right now are large-scale environmental impact assessments and long-term remediation plans to mitigate ill effects from the spill.

Conclusion: 

The evolving crisis in the Philippines delivers one of the strongest reminders of how susceptible maritime nations are to the realities of natural disasters and environmental degradation. In a stronger way, the country makes a call for the establishment of very firm disaster preparedness and environmental protection measures. On that note, it will mostly be appropriate if the resilience of the Philippine Coast Guard’s interventions, together with its international allies, which has been swift and sagacious, will sail through this challenging moment to mitigate the worst impacts of this environmental catastrophe upon Manila Bay.