The oil spill off Mindoro recently bearing 800 metric tons of fuel, is rapidly spreading and is spoiling the pristine beaches and water at our famed great beaches and waters. While cruise ships are flocking to Boracay and Palawan, each tourist estimated to be spending $100 per day during the visit, the tourist attractiveness at the said sites: San Vicente, Boracay Taytay can go down to zero
Al ready there are cancellations from tourists to Mindoro
Even Verde Island one of the famous dive sites is imperiled
Our hope for economic recovery after pandemic and efforts to attract tourists is going to naught
All ready blame is being pointed to the regulatory agencies by the investigating bodies and some members of these agencies are recommended to be suspended. Indeed why so much negligence, lack of effectiveness happen despite a huge bureaucracy with bloated salary expense. Trouble is there are so many agencies involved in regulating ships in the country: MARINA, PCG etc.
One silly oil spill is alll that it takes to spoil the countrýs competitive advantage in a flash
