Traces of oil spill still evident in Estancia, Iloilo

MANILA -- Task Force Oil Spill of the Iloilo provincial government returned to Barangay Botongan in Estancia town to check on the claims made by contractor Kuan Yu Global Technologies Inc. that the clean-up has been completed. Inspectors found there is is still bunker oil along the coastline and an oil sheen over the water. The inspection team also found debris with contaminated oil in the area, which it said poses health risks to residents. The task force said it will meet with the local government and Kuan Yu officials regarding the matter. It recommended the immediate clean-up operations for the remaining bunker fuel along the shoreline. The oil spill occurred after a power barge of the National Power Corporation (Napocor) was damaged at the height of super typhoon "Yolanda," causing more than 200,000 liters of bunker oil to leak in the coastal town. The massive typhoon struck central Philippines last November 8. Thousands of residents were forced to leave their homes due to the oil spill. -- Report from Nony Basco, ABS-CBN News Iloilo