The Department of Energy (DOE) is fully supporting the Oil Pollution Management Fund (OPMF) Committee in addressing the identified urgent funding requirements for oil spill containment, removal, and clean-up operations following the sinking of the MT Terra Nova off the coast of Limay, Bataan.

Pursuant to Republic Act No. 9483, also known as the Oil Pollution Compensation Act of 2007, a quick response fund and a committee were established to manage and oversee the use of resources for such incidents.

Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla has also requested private oil companies and related businesses to provide full support in efforts to contain the oil spill and assist affected communities.

“In compliance with the President's directive for government agencies to extend assistance and to jointly evaluate the environmental impact of the oil spill, we are actively collaborating and giving full support to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the local government of Bataan, and other involved agencies in response operations and hazard mitigation efforts related to this incident,” said Secretary Lotilla.

Preliminary information indicates that the MT Terra Nova, carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel oil, was en route to Iloilo, Panay, when the incident occurred approximately 3.5 nautical miles off the coast of Lamao, a barangay in Limay, Bataan. Industrial fuel oil is primarily used in power plants and large manufacturing industries. ###