The Department of Health (DOH) is undertaking groundwater testing in Limay town and adjacent towns affected by the oil spill. DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire who motored on Thursday to Limay where the Terra Nova vessel carrying industrial fuel oil sunk on July 25, said a toxicology center is available at the Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center where water testing could be done to know if the water is contaminated by the oil spill.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) had announced that marine products from Bataan are still safe for human consumption. Bataan Gov. Joet Garcia said Vergeire assured local folks that the DOH is ready to extend medical assitsance to the province.

In nearby Abucay town, Mayor Robin Tagle mobilized on Thursday the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, all departments and the barangay councils to get ready for any eventuality resulting from the oil spill menace. He asked everyone to find coconut husk and other materials suitable to mitigate oil spill spread. In a meeting at the municipal hall, the mayor thanked all sectors involved in rescue operations following massive floods brought by typhoon Carina enhanced by the southwest monsoon.

As of this writing, no indication of oil spill was seen in the coastal area of Abucay and neighboring town of Samal, one the province’s rich sources of “tahong” or green mussel.

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