More than 36,000 hectares of coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass may be at risk due to the oil spill in Mindoro waters, marine experts warned on Saturday, with the slick feared to spread further to Cuyo Island in Palawan.
, the University of the Philippines' Marine Science Institute estimated that 20,000 hectares of coral reef, 9,900 hectares of mangroves, and 6,000 hectares of seagrass may be affected by the oil spill.
"Among the coastal sites that may be at risk are several marine protected areas including but not limited to the reefs in Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro, amounting to some 1,100 ha of coral reefs," the MSI reported.Marine scientists said significant seagrass beds are located in various areas, including the coastal communities of Pola, Mansalay, and Bulalacao in Oriental Mindoro.
"Those responsible should pay for damages that include Payment for Ecosystem Services to the affected areas and the sectors concerned," said Oceana vice president Gloria Estenzo Ramos."Oil spill, such as the Exxon Valdez and Deepwater Horizon cases in the United States and in Guimaras and Cordova in the Philippines has lasting effects and can take decades before the benefits of the marine ecosystem are restored although not fully.
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