LINGAYEN – A tug boat, a barge and a crane barge have been deployed in the water near Agno town since Thursday to help refloat a polluting barge loaded with 4,500 metric tons of coal that ran aground in the area since Dec. 18 last year.

Pangasinan Provincial Administrator Virgilio Solis said the vessels were mobilized by Asian Shipping Company, owner of LCT Al Eisner, the barge that ditched in the shallow waters of sitio Talisay, barangay Macaboboni in Agno.

Solis said Asian shipping is complying with the directive of the provincial government for it to remove the barge which has been spilling coal while being battered by big waves in the South China Sea.

The crane barge is attempting to load the 4,500 metric tons of coal to the new barge sent to the area preparatory to refloating the distressed vessel so the tug boat can pull it to deeper waters and eventually sail away.

Solis said it appears that the ASC is now acting fast after it was given a 10-day ultimatum since Mar. 10 to remove its barge. The deadline ended Mar. 20.

Asked by newsmen whether the provincial government is satisfied with what the company is doing, Solis said the province sent Nicanor Melecio, an environmental consultant of Gov. Victor Agbayani, to oversee the refloating effort and see to it that the eco-system there is not further damaged.

Solis earlier said the province will be forced to take over the stationary barge which was already close to becoming a derelict, if it was not removed fast.

He indicated that with the company’s visible efforts, the province may waive the filing of suit, provided that the company will help in the coastal cleanup of Agno.

Up to 300 cubic meters of coal, estimated to be about 12 truck loads, now litter the coast of Agno as a result of the coal spill.

“We have to assess the damages first because the filing of a suit means damages. So at this point and time, we could not ascertain how much damages were incurred by the municipality (of Agno),” Solis explained.

It was not only the coast of Agno that was affected but also the livelihood of residents who are engaged in fishing as well as in growing seaweeds.

The barge was bringing the coal to Poro Point in La Union, from Semirara in Antique when it encountered a storm in the high seas. (PNA)