According to Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commander Roy Echeverria, station chief of PCG Davao, the coconut oil sludge might have come from the septic tank of one of the nearby factories. This spill of oil into water has poses great threat to the lives of the sea creatures in the area. Echeverria said that the overflowing waters from nearby plants might have caused it.
Accordion to Echeverria heavy rains has been bothering residents in the area since Thursday evening. But the PCG said there is no need for worry since it has taken action and is now cleaning and controlling the oil spill. The Coast Guard worked hard and cleaned up the waters off the coast of Sasa Wharf in Davao City, and the oil spill was declared under control around 2 p.m. Saturday.
But the residents near the shore still complain about the bad smell in the area and the water. Authorities are now probing into the matter from where the oil sludge actually came. The company where the oil spill came from could be held liable for the damages the oil spill caused. Davao City Councilor Leonardo R. Avila III said the sludge came from the plant of the Bio Energy 8 owned by the Zubiris located at Km. 10 Sasa.
Besides oil tonnes of mining residues were earlier found spilled into the Gulf, and the intrusion of commercial fishing vessels, use of dynamite and cyanide, and other harmful fishing methods continue to threaten it. There is no denying fact that Davao Gulf has been identified as one of the most diverse marine ecosystems in the world.
