LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—The owner of the barge that ran aground off the coastal town of Agno about three months ago acted swiftly to meet the 10-day ultimatum given by the provincial government on March 10 as it is now transferring the coal to another vessel followed by a towing of vessel.

Lawyer Virgilio Solis, provincial administrator who issued the
deadline upon the order of Governor Victor Agbayani to LCT Eisner based in Dagat-dagatan, Malabon to remove its vessel or face legal action, said since Friday, there was one tugboat, one barge and one crane barge to tow the vessel.

“They are really doing their best as of yesterday. Whether satisfied or not, we will see (first) their efforts”, Solis said.

The media, environmentalists and barangay officials are there
watching them, Solis told local reporters the other day.

Solis, quoting Nick Melecio, a consultant of the provincial
government on environmental concerns, said the barge personnel are now unloading the coal to another barge while the tugboat will try to tow the barge that ran aground.

LCT Eisner was carrying coal ran aground off sitio Talisay, barangay Macaboboni in Agno town on Dec. 17, 2005.

Eisner is an Asian Shipping Line hired by the Philippine National Oil Company which came from Semirara, Antique to deliver 4,500 metric tons of coal to PNOC coal terminal at Poro, San Fernando City, La Union. On its way along the navigational waters of Agno, the bridal cable of M/T Jimmy tugboat broke on Dec. 18 so the barge was released due to strong winds and waves current spawned by a storm.

As a result, about 300 cubic meters of coal or equivalent to 12 truckloads were spilled off the waters.

Solis said,” We will have to asses the damages first because filing a case means damages so at this point in time we could not assess yet how much damages that the municipality and the people incurred".

In his March 10 demand letter, Solis gave barge owner 10 days to remove the barge or face legal actions.

After the barge has been removed, that will be the time they can assess the damages, Solis said.

“If evidence warrants, proper charges will be filed by either any of the people affected, by the municipality or any taxpayer for that matter,” he added.

They are really doing their best to remove the vessel and they will only consider that as a derelict if they will not comply with our directive, he said.

He however said they have to expedite the removal of the barge.

Meanwhile, Solis said the separate probe being conducted by the provincial board on this matter headed by first district Board Member Alicia Pulido will certainly help determine not only the culpability of those involved but possibly for the board members to enact a certain ordinance that would regulate the navigable lanes along the vast coastal waters of
Pangasinan.

Solis said since efforts are being done by the barge owner and aware of their concerns and limitations, they will just give them a little time.

Agno Mayor Leticia Rosete said in a letter that “In case the
government agencies who have technical resources at their command, come to make remedial measures, the municipality of Agno, Pangasinan and barangay Macaboboni will cooperate to clear the area of foreign matters which cause or
probably will cause pollution".