Thousands of liters of oil spilled into the waters off Iloilo on July 3, 2020 after an explosion at a power barge owned by AC Energy. Authorities’ earlier estimate was an area of around 1,200 square meters affected. This oil spill is a big threat to marine life and to the health and livelihoods of communities in Iloilo and Guimaras. Fisherfolk and coastal communities are already struggling to adjust to the logistic and economic impacts of the pandemic that have caused big losses in their sources of income and food security. Our thoughts are with these communities who are now suffering an additional blow to their health and livelihoods.

Oil spill a wakeup call. (2020, July 9). Panay News, p. 6.