COSTA AGUADA, Philippines, 29 August 2006 — In a bid to spare Guimaras Island from stigma brought about by an oil spill, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo yesterday declared that the environmental tragedy shall henceforth be called the “Solar Oil Spill.”

In a media pool interview she gave while visiting the central Philippine province, Arroyo said using the name of the tanker involved in the disaster instead in reference to the tragedy would remove the negative image it caused to the province, affecting the local tourism industry.

She said Guimaras should not be blamed for the tragedy, which has reportedly caused more than 300 cancellations of reservations to various resorts.

Solar I, carrying about 2 million liters (500,000 gallons) of bunker oil, sank off Guimaras on Aug. 11 in rough seas, then began spilling oil that has affected a 220-kilometer (137-mile) stretch of coastline.

The spill has contaminated resorts, marine reserves, seaweed farms and fishing communities on the southern coast of Guimaras island and outlying areas.

Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, however, said that only seven of the 24 resorts in Guimaras have been affected by the oil spill.

Arroyo invited the media to visit a resort not stricken by the oil slick to emphasize her point.

While trying to shield the province from negative publicity, the president also assured local residents and tourists that steps are being taken urgently to contain the oil slick.

“We assure the affected residents that the government, together with international partners, is doing only the best to bring back the healthy state of Guimaras,” said Arroyo, who returned to the island yesterday to check on the progress of the large-scale cleanup and steps taken by officials to safeguard the health of villagers living near contaminated shores and help them find other sources of income. She first visited the island on Saturday.

International Aid

Arroyo also announced that Australia and France have pledged to help in the cleanup effort.

The United States and Japan had earlier sent experts to Guimaras.

She did not elaborate on the specific aid that Australia and France might provide.

The oil spill, one of the worst to hit the country, struck a region known for its marine reserves, rich fishing areas and popular beach resorts. It also exposed weaknesses in the government’s ability to deal with such accidents.

Arroyo said an investigation will pinpoint criminal liability and come up with ways to prevent a recurrence.

“There will be a wide-ranging investigation to find out what happened, who was responsible and what steps (are) needed to be taken to ensure this accident would never happen again,” Arroyo told the Radio Mindanao Network.

Traces of oil have been carried by the currents to the shores of two towns in Iloilo province, about 50 kilometers west of Guimaras, coast guard officials said.

The Guimaras provincial government has reported that more than 26,000 people — directly and indirectly dependent on fishing — have been affected.

Salvage Ship

Environment Secretary Angelo Reyes said the tanker has been located about 700 meters (2,296 feet) under the sea.

Officials will wait for a Japanese salvage ship to arrive later this week and examine the tanker with a remote-controlled probe before deciding what to do next, he said.

If the tanker still has oil in it, the government may siphon off the remaining bunker fuel because it could break apart if lifted, Reyes said, adding that entombing the vessel under the seabed would be too costly.

“We have to do this quick because some people say it’s a disaster again waiting to happen,” Reyes told ABS-CBN television.

Arroyo said the government will ask the conservation group World Wildlife Fund to come up with scientific analyses and solutions to protect Guimaras’ marine environment.

A top executive of Petron Corp., the country’s largest oil refiner and owner of the leaking fuel, told a Senate inquiry that his company has helped clean up 62 kilometers of Guimaras coastline by hiring more than 1,000 villagers.

Jose Jesus Laurel, Petron vice president for legal, said the massive cleanup could be completed in 30-45 days. (From reports of the Inquirer News Service & AP)