A four-man team from Environmental Management Bureau in Central Visayas (EMB-7) was sent to Lumpan Lake in Barangay Montpeller, Alegria town, southwest Cebu on Wednesday to conduct an oil and grease measurement in the area following reports of an oil spill.
But their initial findings revealed no traces of oil.
“Let us just wait for the complete results that will be released next week,” said Engr. Cindylyn Pepito, chief of EMB-7’s ambient air and water quality.
Pepito said they took a water sample from the area for testing and the results would be known next week.
Pepito added that the area is not a lake but an impounding lagoon.
Erik Ybas, former tourism officer of Alegria and now Municipal Environment and Natural Resources officer of neighboring town Malabuyoc, earlier called for an investigation into the alleged oil spill in the area.
Ybas said he will write a letter to Lopez, a staunch anti-mining advocate, to investigate the operations of China International Petroleum Co. Limited (CIMP), which has been doing oil explorations in Alegria since 2014.
The photos posted by Ybas on his FB account, Monday night drew the attention of several Alegria residents who, he said, started to send him messages to convey their fears and dismay.
“This toxic contamination will lead to ecological degradation (which) might as well affect neighboring towns,” Ybas said.
When sought for his comment yesterday, Ybas told Cebu Daily News through Facebook chat that despite the initial findings by the EMB-7, Secretary Lopez should still investigate the alleged oil spill.
“Then what are the traces found in that watershed?” Ybas said.
Alegria Mayor Verna Magallon said they already anticipated the outcome of EMB-7’s investigation.
“I am 100 percent sure there is no oil spill happening in the area,” Magallon said.
She denied telling Cebu Daily News that there is no mining site in Alegria as the CIMP has been conducting oil explorations since 2014 because of the presence of natural gas in the town.
Lumpan Lake is about 100 meters away from where three CIMP oil drilling sites are located.
Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Cebudailynews. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.
