According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), as of August 7, 2024, the oil spill from the sunken tanker Terra Nova has triggered a state of emergency in 21 areas in the provinces of Bataan and Cavite.
On July 24 at approximately 22:57, the tanker MT Terra Nova, which was being towed by the vessel MTug Procyon to its anchorage, began to list off Lokaning Point, Bataan.
A state of calamity has been declared in 12 areas of Bataan and 9 areas of Cavite affected by the oil spill, as follows:
Efforts to contain and mitigate the spill continue, with various government agencies working together to address the immediate needs of affected communities and restore environmental health.
On August 2, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) held a press conference to inform the public about response measures and respond to inquiries about the oil spill.
The Department of Health (DOH) coordinated testing of groundwater samples in affected areas and collaborated with various health agencies to develop oil spill response strategies.
They also advised residents of the affected area to temporarily relocate to another location until the leak is completely fixed.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has conducted geochemical analysis and hired experts to assist in the cleanup of the oil spill.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) monitors air and water quality, installs oil-absorbing mats, and establishes a facility to manufacture organic booms to prevent oil spills.
In Tarlac, such stations include San Jose, which serves the areas of Aurora, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija. The ruins of Lubao are located in the provinces of Pampanga, Bataan, Zambales, and Bulacan.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has allocated P2 million as a contingency fund and has pre-prepared 110,255 food packages for affected families.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) deployed various means to contain and clean up the oil spill, including inflatable booms, oil dispersants, aerial surveillance and coastal cleanup.
In Bicol, local authorities in San Fernando, Camarines Sur, collected coconut shells to help with oil spill cleanup as the fibres have been proven to be effective in absorbing oil from water.
A related report said that a group of youth in Lipa City, Batangas, visited several barber shops to collect hair clippings and help clean up the oil spill.
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