PCG investigates suspected vessel waste dumping in Bataan coastal waters

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
November 06, 2026

Photo Courtesy: PCG

The Philippine Coast Guard is investigating a suspected discharge of vessel waste into the coastal waters of Mariveles, Bataan, after an oil spill affected part of the shoreline.

The incident was reported at around 9:30 a.m. on November 5 in Sitio Naswe, Barangay Ipag, where approximately 25 liters of used oil were found covering an estimated 500 square meters of coastal waters.

Initial findings pointed to possible washing activities as the source of the substance. However, the Coast Guard said further verification is needed to establish where the oil came from and how it entered the water.

To contain the spill, the PCG deployed seven absorbent booms and 2,200 absorbent pads in coordination with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

Personnel from the Coast Guard, the Mariveles Municipal Agriculture Office and Barangay Ipag also installed containment barriers along the affected shoreline to prevent the oil from spreading.

By 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, response teams had collected around 800 kilograms of oil-contaminated debris and used absorbent materials. The waste was placed in 40 sacks and temporarily stored at a secure location.

Cleanup and monitoring operations were scheduled to continue on Friday as authorities worked to assess the affected area and determine the source of the contamination.

The investigation comes as Bataan continues to monitor its coastal environment following previous maritime pollution incidents in the province. The PCG has yet to establish whether the latest discharge was caused by a vessel or another source.