Oil spill menace
Health exec awaits laboratory tests
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Iloilo City -– Health Secretary Francisco Duque is still awaiting the laboratory tests of possible illnesses caused by oil spill contamination on residents of Guimaras Island and nearby towns.
This he stressed following his visit last Thursday to personally assess the conditions of affected residents exposed to the oil.
"It appears those involved in the clean up operations are protected by specialized cloth, gloves and boots, though, we are constantly monitoring respiratory tract illnesses, coughing, skin irritation, asthma and stomach pains which could directly caused by oil spill,"” he said.

The ill-fated 998-ton M/T Solar I owned by Sunshine Maritime Development Corp. sank off the coast of Guimaras Island last August 11 with two million liters of bunker oil. Only 50,000 galloons of oil have leaked into the sea affecting the beaches, mangroves and livelihood of hundreds of fishermen.
The tanker chartered by oil refiner Petron Corp. also affects more than 20 fishing villages of Guimaras Island. One fisherman died while four were hospitalized due to oil spill contamination, reports said.
“"We are awaiting for the laboratory tests on Monday if these health conditions are linked with oil spill,"” Duque said, adding, his department initially shouldered the deployment of medical teams and doctors in the area.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has declared the worst oil spill in the history a national calamity and called on the Petron Corp. and the ship owner to immediately clean up the oil spill. /PN