I. General Information:
Update on toxic cargo on board Sulpicio Lines MV Princess of the Stars
Sulpicio Lines Inc., owner of the MV Princess of the Stars, named Titan Salvage, as its marine salvage company of choice in the salvage operations for the capsized ferry. The length of salvage operation is estimated to last a maximum of 60 days.
II. Health Impact:
Update on toxic cargo on board Sulpicio Lines MV Princess of the Stars
A 5 kilometer radius ban on fishing is in effect in the Municipality of San Fernando in the Province of Romblon and is expected to stay until the cargo of endosulfan and other chemicals are removed.
Government has intensified its monitoring efforts by conducting daily water sample analysis of waters from the area. Efforts are being undertaken to include fishes, seaweeds, and sediments for analysis of possible pesticide exposure.
III. Response:
1. The DOH is currently involved in 3 of the 5 sub taskforces of the Task Force Princess of the Stars.
As part of the Hazardous Material sub taskforce the DOH took part in the following activities:
- organization of the Task Force Endosulfan and other Hazardous Materials
- examination of 68 divers at East Avenue Medical Center together with UP National Poison Control Center, and coordination with WHO with regards to blood and urine samples of divers
- evaluation of additional hazardous materials on board the ferry
- issuance of public health advisories and establishment of a hotline for inquiries
For the Psychosocial sub task force, the DOH has undertaken the following:
- coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in support of the bereaved
- provision of information materials and established a hotline for referral of disaster victims to DOH hospitals
- orientation of medical personnel including the National Bureau of Investigation, local government units, among others with regards to the handling of the bereaved
- psychosocial preparation of the bereaved in the event that the victims' bodies are recovered
The DOH has also expressed support for the activities of the sub task force on Disaster Victim Identification (DVI).
2. WHO has facilitated the arrival of experts from the Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit (JEU)and European Commission Monitoring and Information Center (EC MIC). They are to assist the Philippine government in the evaluation of the environmental and health risks posed by the capsized ferry and the toxic cargo on board. The team is composed of its leader, Dr Stéphane Le Floch, a marine chemist, Dr Rune Stefan Berglind, a toxicologist and Mr Antonin Petr, liaison officer of the EC MIC. The team visited the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the Department of Energy and Natural Resources (DENR), Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) and the Bureau of Plant Industry-National Pesticide Analytical Laboratory to gather preliminary data on laboratory capabilities and methodologies. Initial results of water and fish analysis were also evaluated. The team is currently at the disaster site to evaluate on going and planned response activities, identify gaps in the response and propose recommendations for future interventions.
Sources of Information:
Report of Dr Gerardo P Medina
NDCC
Minutes of Meetings of Task Force Princess of the Stars
BFAR, DENR, FPA, BPI-National Pesticide Analytical Laboratory
Philippine Daily Inquirer
HEMS presentation
Annex
Terms of Reference Environmental Emergency Assessment Mission
Contacts
Country Office
Dr John Juliard Go
Tel: (632) 528 9063
Email: goj@wpro.who.int
Dr Gerardo Medina
Tel: (632) 338 7479
Fax: (632) 731 3914
Email: medinag@wpro.who.int
Regional Office
Dr Arturo Pesigan
Tel : (632) 528 9810
Fax: (632) 528 9072
Email: pesigana@wpro.who.int