Provincial disaster and coordinating council officer Paquito Saratiosa of Aklan said the abaca fibers from Aklan would hasten the massive clean up of oil spill in the Guimaras Island.
The provincial government of Aklan through Gov. Carlito Marquez and Vice Gov. Ronquillo Tolentino turned over to Guimaras province the six tons of abaca fibers loaded in dump trucks. Aklan also turned over P200,000 cash relief assistance from the five percent calamity fund to residents of Guimaras affected by the worst oil spill.
"The abaca fiber, abundant in Aklan, would be used in oil spill to absorb the oil slick in the clean up of the shores and waters of Guimaras Island and part of Iloilo province," said Saratiosa, who led a contingent to the island for the turn over of abaca fibers."The abaca fibers were donated by the Qui family in Aklan, a known abaca trader," Saratiosa added.For his part, Guimaras Gov. J.C. Rahman Nava thanked the provincial government of Aklan for the relief assistance to more than 40,000 people in the island province.
The oil spilled from a Petron-chartered vessel tanker carrying 2.1 million liters of bunker oil on August 11 sank in Guimaras Strait due to bad weather. It threatens the mangroves, livelihood of thousands of villagers and beaches of Guimaras Island.Saratiosa said. "Five trucks of coconut husks from the town of Ibajay and Numancia, Aklan will be sent to Guimaras Island to further contain the spilled bunker oil.
"The coconut husks are indigenous and biodegradable materials abundant in Aklan. It could be used in making spill booms to protect beaches of neighboring islands of Guimaras," he stressed.
Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Plaridel Morania earlier said, he was initially worried as the oil spill could affect the pristine beaches of Boracay Island. He has "recommended to approve a provincial ordinance banning those commercial vessels carrying bunker oil from entering the waters of Aklan."
As President Arroyo said to Aklanons, "let us protect the goose that lays the golden eggs – the Boracay Island. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com
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