An oil spill task force on Monday declared that the municipal waters of Clusters 4 and 5 in the oil-spill-hit Oriental Mindoro towns are now within acceptable standards for fishing activities.

According to a statement released by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), the Task Force MT Princess Empress Oil Spill Incident made the decision based on the latest laboratory tests results of water and fish conducted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on April 17 and 24.

Cluster 4 is composed of the municipalities of Bongabong, Roxas, Mansalay and Bulalacao, while Cluster 5 include the municipalities of Puerto Galera, Baco, and San Teodoro.

The task force said the waters of Clusters 1, 2 and 3, comprising the towns of Naujan, Pola, Pinamalayan, Gloria and Bansud, are still not recommended for fishing activities due to the risk of contamination by the oil spill that has yet to be removed.

The task force added that precautionary measures will still be implemented if the levels of contamination has risks to food safety of fish and fisheries products.

Amid this development, the PCO said the time-series monitoring of all sites will be continued according to the scheduled sampling plan of the BFAR.

Meanwhile, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is still conducting its air and water sampling including the hazardous waste monitoring and management in all affected localities.

The DENR noted that in Region 4B, all areas located in the north of ground zero or Naujan town have lower recorded oil and grease as compared to those in the south.

The DENR added that all monitored shorelines affected by the oil spill have generally improved and all monitored areas in the municipality of Pola are all within the water quality guidelines for oil and grease based on the last sampling result available.

The Department of Health (DOH), for its part, issued the following guidelines for safe consumption of fish and other seafood products in Clusters 4 and 5.

The DOH advised the public to prepare and cook seafood products properly, and avoid eating fish, shellfish, and other seafood products that have an oily smell or taste.

Fisherfolks should ensure that their catches do not contact any remaining floating oil and are free of signs of contamination, the DOH said.

If exhibiting any untoward symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea after consuming seafood products, the DOH said affected persons should seek immediate medical assistance from the nearest Rural Health Center, primary care center, and/or physician.

The BFAR should be contacted immediately following the consultation to report the incident for investigation and assessment.

The DOH also advised the public and the residents from Clusters 1, 2 and 3 where fishing ban is still in effect to observe the following guidelines:

-Avoid the consumption of fish, shellfish, mollusks and other seafood products.

-Immediately seek medical assistance from the nearest Rural Health Center, primary care center, and/or physician in case of accidental consumption of seafood products.

-Exposure to and consumption of contaminated seafood or water may expose the public to PAH chemicals, which is associated with eye irritation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and irritability, among other conditions.

For other concerns, the DOH urged the public to contact the nearest poison control center or the National Poison Management and Control Center at (632) 8524-1078, or through the DOH Poison Control Centers nearest to Oriental Mindoro such as the Batangas Medical Center (043) 740-8307; Rizal Medical Center 671-9740 to 43; 671-9740 loc 102; and 671-9616; and East Avenue Medical Center at 928-0611 loc 201; and 928-0611.

The oil spill occurred on Feb. 28 after oil tanker MT Princess Empress experienced engine trouble, encountered big waves, strong winds, and eventually sank.

It was this ill-fated ship’s cargo of 900,000 liters of industrial fuel that leaked and contaminated the surrounding ocean, economically displacing over 31,000 families in Oriental Mindoro province.

A recent DENR report placed the damage created by the Oriental Mindoro oil spill at around PHP7 billion. (PNA)