Nasugbu Coal Spill_0001.wmv
On 14 July 2010, at the height of typhoon Basyang, a 3,000 GT barge loaded with 8,000 metric tons (MT) of unburnt bituminous coal from Indonesia ran aground on a reef in Barangay Wawa, Nasugbu in Batangas. Rough sea conditions due to the typhoon caused the hawsers or towing cable to break, drifting the vessel to the nearshore reef. The vessel spilled off an estimated 40% or more than 3,000 MT after tilting on its side.The immediate impact on the reef where the coal spilled off and the damage to the reef on impact by the vessel has alarmed the Provincial Government of Batangas, local government unit of Nasugbu, tourism establishments, local communities and the provincial government of Batangas.Batangas Provincial Senior Board Member Christopher De Leon, Chairman of the Committee on Environmental Protection and Vice Chair of the Committee on Tourism, requested all the agencies concerned to assist in the cleanup. It is hereby recommended that the DOT, through the PCSSD, organize an inspection/diving and monitoring team to conduct a survey, monitor the progress on the on-going cleanup, and coordinate volunteer-divers from the diving community for a more organized cleanup. Canyon Cove Divers, tvolunteers fronm the Batangas Community Divers, and the Philippine Coast Guard are working on the underwater removal of the spilled coal. To date, an estimated 20% has been removed. Assessment of the removal activities may take another 5 to 6 months, with ideal conditions and continuing operations. Reef rehabilitation will also be undertaken in a few months to restore areas with severly degraded corals. The owners of the Indonesian-based company and its insurance company committed to underwrite all expenses for the operations.