Bacolod-based firm helps government fight Bataan oil spill

Photo taken of the tanker (MT) Terra Nova that sank east of Lamao Point, Limay, Bataan on July 25, 2024 | PHOTO: Philippine Coast Guard Official Facebook Page

BACOLOD CITY — A private company in the city is helping the government contain the oil spill from the M/T Terra Nova, which sank on July 25 off the coast of Limay, Bataan.

“We don’t charge any fees. This is our way of helping the government in small ways in times of crisis,” said Ramon Uy Sr., owner of RU Foundry and Machine Shop Corp.

Their shelling and shredding machines were delivered by a Philippine Air Force C-130 from Bacolod Silay Airport and transported to Clark International Airport on Sunday, July 28.

Uy said his employee in Manila will help operate the equipment on site.

“The machines will be used to crush coconut shells and other biodegradable materials to produce bunds to prevent oil from leaking from the capsized tanker in Bataan,” he said.

He added that recycled coconut shells and other biodegradable materials would be placed in a sausage-like mesh and then spread out into the sea, where they would absorb oily sediment.

The MT Terra Nova, bound for Iloilo City, sank on July 25 in rough seas about seven kilometers off Limay, Bataan.

Uy said his company also helped contain previous oil spills in Guimaras and Mindoro.