MIDTERM QUIZ #2

ZGE 4301 - ARCH4C - 10:30-12:00- TYK 302

Group 3 March 21, 2023

Sub-Group 3B Prof. Robelyn C. Longares

Guimaras Oil Spill 2006

Cause and Effect

In 2006, the Solar I, a tanker carrying 2 million liters of bunker oil, sank off the coast of
Guimaras Island in the central Philippines, causing a massive oil spill that affected over 200
kilometers of coastline. The cause of the Guimaras oil spill was the sinking of the M/T Solar 1
tanker, which was carrying bunker fuel for the oil company Petron Corporation. The tanker was
reportedly overloaded and poorly maintained, and its crew may have been inadequately trained.
It was also alleged that the tanker was operating without proper safety equipment and that the
company responsible for the vessel's maintenance had a poor safety record.

The spill had a devastating impact on the environment and the local fishing industry. The
spill affected over 200 kilometers of coastline and several marine protected areas, including the
Guimaras Strait Protected Seascape. The oil slick killed marine life, including fish, crabs, and
sea turtles, and destroyed mangrove forests and coral reefs. The spill also impacted the
livelihoods of local fishermen and tourism operators, as well as the health of residents who were
exposed to toxic fumes from the oil. Efforts to contain and clean up the spill were initially slow
due to poor equipment and a lack of coordination among government agencies. However, with
the help of international experts, the spill was eventually contained and the affected areas were
cleaned up for several months.

Recommendations

Based on the Guimaras oil spill in 2006 in the Philippines, the following recommendations can
be made to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future:
1. Strengthen regulations and enforcement: There is a need to strengthen regulations and
enforcement mechanisms to ensure that shipping companies and oil operators comply
with safety standards, including proper maintenance of vessels and equipment,
adequate training for crew members, and regular inspection of pipelines and facilities.
Government agencies responsible for regulating the industry should be given adequate
resources and authority to monitor compliance and enforce penalties for
non-compliance.
2. Improve emergency response and contingency planning: Adequate emergency
response plans and contingency measures should be put in place in case of oil spills or
other environmental disasters. These plans should involve all stakeholders, including
 government agencies, oil companies, local communities, and environmental groups.
Regular drills and exercises should be conducted to test the effectiveness of these plans
and identify areas for improvement.
3. Encourage public participation: There should be more active engagement and
participation of local communities and other stakeholders in decision-making processes
related to the oil industry. This can include greater transparency and information sharing
by oil companies, as well as consultation and collaboration with local communities and
indigenous groups.
4. Promote sustainable development: There is a need to promote sustainable development
practices that minimize the negative impact of the oil industry on the environment and
local communities. This can include investing in renewable energy sources, promoting
energy efficiency and conservation, and supporting alternative livelihoods for affected
communities.
5. Conduct research and monitoring: There is a need for ongoing research and monitoring
of the long-term effects of the oil spill on the environment and human health. This can
help inform future policy decisions and guide the development of effective mitigation and
restoration strategies.

Illustration

(Explanation)
Accidents involving tankers, barges,
pipelines, refineries, drilling rigs, and
storage facilities are the most common
causes of oil spills in rivers, bays, and the
ocean, although spills can also occur from
recreational boats and marinas. The
illustration depicts the oil spills that take
place in our ocean. We link the cause of the
oil spill to Mother Gothel, the hideous witch
mother of Rapunzel in the Tangled movie.
We dramatized her hair as an oil spill from
the ship, and she acts as if she curses the
sea, which is in stark contrast to Rapunzel's
hair, which has the ability to heal the sick
and wounded as well as restore life to
those who have just died or fallen
unconscious. Mother Gothel's known
phrase on her hair depicts the effects of oil
spills in our ocean. It shows an oil spill
covering the ocean and affecting marine life
as retaliation for the cause of the disaster.
Brizo, Aeriel Louise M. March 21, 2023
20171134284 Prof. Robelyn Longares
Group 3
REFLECTION

In this reflection, I will be discussing my studies while making a presentation with my

groupmates about oil spillage in the past and present and the lessons I learned about it. There
are some significant and minor oil spill incidents that have occurred in the Philippines over the
years. The two major oil spillages happened in 2006 and 2010 where in 2006, when the tanker
Solar I sank off the coast of Guimaras Island, and in 2010 when the MV Princess of the Stars
sank off the coast of the island of Sibuyan. Both incidents caused significant environmental
damage and affected the local communities. While the recent oil spillage happened in Pola,
Oriental Mindoro, Philippines where an oil slick from the sunken tanker MT Princess Empress
along a shoreline on March 8, 2023

It is deeply concerning to hear about the past and recent oil spills in the Philippines and
the devastating impact it is having on the environment and the local communities. According to
news reports, residents in affected areas have been experiencing dizziness and fever, and the
spill is also impacting the tourism industry and the livelihoods of those who depend on it. The
immediate focus should be on containing the spill and mitigating its impact on the environment
and the affected communities. The government and the oil industry must work together to
ensure that all necessary measures are taken to clean up the oil spill and prevent it from
spreading further. The use of innovative solutions, such as using human hair to absorb oil from
the water, as reported by Time, is a step in the right direction towards minimizing the damage
caused by oil spills

Through my reflection on Oil Spillage, I have come to realize the importance of

environmental protection and the need for effective regulations, emergency response plans, and
corporate accountability because it is important for the government and industry stakeholders to
prioritize the well-being of the environment and the people over profits, and to take proactive
measures to prevent oil spills from happening in the future. We must all play our part in
protecting the environment and we must hold those responsible for environmental disasters
accountable for their actions. Also, being cooperative endeavors in cleaning up the environment
without expecting in return and using creativity to help them even though we are not
government employees or authorities like donating some hair. It is the same as in our group we
help each other by sharing insights and information that we need for the tasks and can improve
in the future
Orencia, Kim Joshua. March 21, 2023
20171105707 Prof. Robelyn Longares
Group 3
REFLECTION

As we searched for information about oil spillages that happened in the past and present, we
found the oil spillages that occurred in the Philippines in 2006, 2010, and 2023. I learned they
were significant environmental disasters that had consequences for the affected communities
and the surrounding ecosystems and that the cleanup efforts for incidents were challenging and
complex, requiring the coordinated efforts of multiple organizations.

I realized the value of environmental preservation and the necessity for strong laws, emergency
preparations, and corporate responsibility to prevent and minimize oil spills happening in the
future because it affects the communities and environment. Also, every person has a
responsibility to safeguard the environment, and those who cause environmental catastrophes
must be held accountable for their deeds. I learned that despite neither being authorized
personnel, we can help them to clean up the environment by donating our hair based on the
Time article that the innovative solution using human hair to absorb oil from the water. Just like
in our group, we share knowledge and ideas that we are cooperating with each other in making
ppt about the oil spill.
Villanueva, Andrei Kenn D. March 21, 2023
2013111699 Engr. Robelyn Longares
Group 3
REFLECTION

Oil is a type of fuel that we use to power large parts of our economy. However, when oil
spills into the ocean by accident, it can cause major problems. Oil spills can hinder sea
creatures, ruin a beach day, and make seafood unsafe to consume. It tends to take sound
science to clean up the oil, assess the effects of pollution, and aid in the recovery of the ocean.
The location of the oil spill, the types of plants, animals, and habitats found there, as well as the
amount and type of oil, can all influence how much damage an oil spill causes. Wildlife recovery,
cleaning, and rehabilitation are critical factors of oil spill response. However, wildlife is difficult to
locate and capture, oil spills can occur over large areas, and some animals that are too large to
recover. Unfortunately, rescuing all wildlife affected by oil spills is unrealistic.

On August 11, 2006, strong winds and high waves capsized a tanker off Guimaras Island
spilling more than 200,000 liters of bunker oil into the Panay Gulf. The oil had wrapped 245
kilometers of coastline, 16 square kilometers of coral reef area, 1,128 hectares of mangrove
area, and 1,143 hectares of a marine reserve as of August 29. The spill had severely impacted
at least 17,435 people, and many coastal communities had been forced to evacuate due to toxic
substances on the shore.

Recently, on February 28, 2023, the MT Princess Empress carrying 800,000 liters of
industrial fuel oil sank off the Philippines coast. Then, dozens of people reported nausea,
headaches, and vomiting, which disturbed residents who were experiencing these symptoms.
Furthermore, the disaster is expected to affect more than 36,000 hectares of coral reefs,
mangroves, and seaweed, as well as protected marine areas, according to the Philippine
Marine Science Institute. Shortly after the spill, thousands of fishermen were ordered to stay
ashore, and leisure was prohibited in at least seven coastal towns, further compromising
Oriental Mindoro's largely fishing and tourism-based economy. Boracay, a world-famous tourist
destination, is also said to be in danger.

This demonstrates that oil is extremely toxic. It contaminates other sea life and kills
coral, as well as coating bird wings, preventing them from flying. Overall, it has a devastatingly
negative impact on ecosystems and the food chain, and oil spills are extremely difficult to
contain. The cleanup must account for the oil's rapid expansion as well as changing wind and
tide directions. And it demonstrates the importance of our government's responsible,
accountable, and prompt response to a major disaster that single handedly affected many lives.