Philippine Pres. To Push For 'Oil Spill Prevention' Bill
Josephine Roque - All Headline News Staff Writer Manila, Philippines (AHN) - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is calling for a bill that would avert possible oil spills as a component of the government program adopting environmental protection. Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye said it was part of the president's plan to avoid similar incidents in the future. "Certifying an 'oil spill prevention bill' imposing strict maritime regulation is a first step, even as we keep an eye on the acquisition of modern facilities and equipment to deal with future contingencies," Bunye said. He added, "we expect oil companies and other firms engaged in the transport of oil and chemicals to start coordinating with the government agencies concerned for the institution of the necessary preventive measures." He said, "Further, we are relentlessly pushing the continuing cleanup, attending to the victims of illness, moving the communities in gathering biodegradable absorbents to soak up the remaining pollutants, and proceeding with the legal process to make the accountable parties pay for this mess." The Western Visayas has been devastatingly affected by the Aug. 11 oil spill that released two million liters of bunker oil owned by Petron Corp. Guimaras island was placed under a "state of calamity" in what has been called the country's worst oil spill.
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