CITY OF MALOLOS — Oil-eating bacteria could potentially help contain the oil slick caused by a sunken ship in Bataan that has already reached the Bulacan coastline.

This was the response to a text question from ARKIPELAGO NEWS BULACAN to Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum regarding the oil slick in Manila Bay.

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa suggested to President Ferdinand Marcos on Saturday morning that the use of such bacteria could be beneficial. This suggestion was made during a situation briefing on the effects of Typhoon Carina in the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, and Bataan, held at the Session Hall of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng Bulacan in the City of Malolos.

“Yes, it is possible but no need to introduce,” was Solidum’s reply regarding the use of the oil-eating bacteria.

He said, “According to Balik Scientist and oil pollution expert, Dr. Hernando Bacosa, it is most likely that Manila Bay has a lot of oil-degrading bacteria because the area is a major shipping and transportation hub.”

Solidum added, “Bacteria in the Bay are often exposed to small amounts of leaking oil and hydrocarbons and through time have developed an ability to degrade the oil. But bacteria cannot metabolize longer-chain hydrocarbons, which are usually present in bunker oil and industrial fuel oil.”

📷 Philippine Coast Guard