Minutes of the Technical Conference of the Oil Leak
Incident in Barangay Masadya, Concepcion, Romblon
Office of the Regional Director,Environmental
Management Bureau, Region IV-B
September 17, 2007

I.Attendance
(Please refer to the attendance sheet)

II. The meeting officially started at 2:00 in the afternoon at the Conference Room of DENR-EMB Region IV-B chaired by RD Reynaldo R. Villafuerte. RD Villafuerte started the meeting with a brief overview of the oil spill incident, citing the complete staff work submitted to the Regional Executive Director of DENR Region IV-B.

III. After the brief presentation of the complete steff work on the case, the attendees aired their comments and reactions. Hereunder are the comments and reactions of the said meeting:

1. Attorney Fortunato clarified that the sunken wreck of M/V Mactan was located 200 meters from the fisah sanctuary.

2. When RD Villafuerte inquired to the Philippine Coast Guard with regards to his request for the results of the laboratory analysis for the water samples taken, representative of the Command said that their Office will forward the results of the laboratory analysis.

3. The existing weather conditions and the lack of appropriate equipment of the Coast Guard at the area hampered the containment of the oil.

4. Mayor Cipriano of Concepcion confirmed the reported offensive odar last 04 September 2007. However, the following morning the odor was no longer noticeable.

5. RD Villafuerte then asked the attendees of what really happened on the incident. He asked the PCG of the actual volume of the oil remaining in the shipwreck. The PCG does not any information of the oil remaining due to the unavailability of the data considering that the ship sunk way abck in 1973. Even data of the ship's design was also not available.

6. Calixto are willing to send divers to assess the situation.

7. Calixto, knew at first that salvage permits are suffice to legally operate and that no local permits are needed. Further, the group tackled if the operation of Calixto should be required an Environmental Compliance Certificate(ECC). Ms. Rioflorido, OIC EIAMD, said that P.D. 1586 does not require salvage operation to secure such documents. However, considering that the operation of Calixto uses explosives should be taken into review. Calixto also had same operation in other regions and were not required to secure an ECC.

8. When PENRO Tiongson inquired about other damages for the incident, RD Villafuerte asked other agencies invited for the meeting. Ms. Rebuan of BFAR said that no fish kill occurred and that the only report submitted to them is that the fishes are just disturbed from their natural habitat due to blasting operation. Dr. Lopez of DOH stated that there were no reported skin irritation and respiratory ailments from the residents of the affected barangays. Official reports will be furnished.

9. RD Villafuerte said that considering the present situation, Calixto Enterprises or the PCG should send divers to asses the damage. Likewise, he instructed agencies that activities conducted on the site should be properly informed and he instructed Calixto to finally give repot to the Office that the hol is closed as soon aS POSSIBLE.

Having no matters to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 5:00 pm.
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