A memorandum circular issued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) three decades ago allows the unloading of dangerous cargo at a site other than a safe pier or anchorage only in case of an emergency of “national necessity.”

This is indicated by PTPB Memorandum Circular No. 02-96 issued by then Commodore Arturo Capada on May 9, 1996, with the circular stating that “dangerous cargoes shall not be handled, stowed, stored, loaded on, or discharged from a vessel except on safe pier or anchorage as may be permitted by the Commandant, Philippine Coast Guard or his authorized representative.”

“In an emergency arising by reasons of casualty or national necessity, a vessel may load or discharge dangerous cargoes in any location authorized by the Commandant Philippine Coast Guard or his authorized representative,” the directive clarified.

There is no evidence that such an emergency occurred prior to the apparently illegal unloading of flammable fuel in a residential area.

The tanker vessel is supposed to secure a Permit to Carry/Transfer Dangerous Cargo from the Coast Guard Station concerned after the latter verifies the applicant’s compliance with safety requirements.

The issue cropped up after an investigation conducted by the Virac local government unit indicated that the Coast Guard Sub-Station Virac gave permission to the captain of the motor tanker to unload fuel along the boulevard last Jan. 22, 2026.

It may be recalled that that afternoon, a netizen uploaded a video of M/T Sea Lord #2 anchored just a few meters from the boulevard’s wave deflector and transferring fuel to two tanker trucks parked along the boulevard road.

Kenneth Barba, Ecosystem Management Specialist of the municipality, was quoted in a news report as confirming that the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) management at Virac port ordered the motor tanker to temporarily leave its anchorage at the port due to the impending arrival of a passenger vessel.

The LGU official also stated that the pertinent documents of the motor tanker were also complete and valid.

It was also found out that the vessel’s captain secured permission from the Coast Guard Station-Catanduanes and the barangay council of Sta. Cruz to temporarily dock at the boulevard to unload diesel fuel to the tanker trucks, with the barangay kagawad on duty giving his consent on the condition that the operation would be completed in the soonest possible time.

The concerned authorities also claimed that the unloading was strictly monitored to ensure public safety and environmental safeguards.

No incident of fuel spill or leak was noted during the operation, the report said.

According to several informed sources, however, representatives of the vessel owner contacted the barangay council of Sta. Cruz days before the vessel’s arrival to ask permission for the unloading of fuel along the boulevard, with the council granting the request provided the transfer be done during the early afternoon and with passersby prevented from approaching the area.

Apparently, the PPA Virac PMO had already informed the Sea Lord 2 prior to its arrival that it would be prohibited from docking at Virac port to unload the fuel.

It advised the vessel to explore the possibility of unloading the cargo at Codon in San Andres or the fish port at Pananaogan, Bato, both locations a considerable distance from Virac.

Having secured permission from the barangay council, the motor tanker reportedly went straight to its predetermined anchorage along the boulevard and proceeded to transfer the dangerous cargo less than 20 meters away from the PCG substation.

It is claimed that Coast Guard personnel, who were unaware of the operation, ordered the vessel’s personnel to stop the unloading and gave consent only when informed of the barangay permit.

Under the Code of Safe Handling, Storage and Transport of Dangerous Cargoes in Ports issued under PPA Administrative Order No. 08-97, the loading and unloading of liquid bulk dangerous cargoes or compressed gases carried in tanker vessels at passenger and/or general cargo port terminals is prohibited.

Even in shore installations like the fuel depot at Palnab area, the Code provides that adequate and safe mooring facilities are provided and adequate safe access is provided between the ship and the shore.

In 2010, however, the PPA issued Administrative Order No. 04-2010 providing an addendum to the provision prohibiting the loading and unloading of dangerous cargoes at passenger and/or general cargo port terminals.

It stated that in case there is no available berth dedicated for loading and unloading such cargoes, the Port Management Office may allow the interim handling operations at PPA port terminals provided passenger or cargo vessels have priority in docking over the tanker vessel or fuel barge.

The tanker vessel shall only be allowed to dock alongside the port terminal upon the completion of the operations of the passenger and/or cargo vessels.

“All unloading shall immediately be suspended when passengers have started to arrive at the port for boarding or when passenger vessels have arrived and started to maneuver towards the berth,” the order states. “All oil-carrying vessels shall then shift to a safe location or distance at least 100 meters to await the next available period for unloading while all truck tankers of the consignee shall immediately leave the berthing area.”

Aside from requiring the presence of fire-fighting equipment and well-trained fire brigade on board as well as at the port, the PPA directive mandates the owner/consignee, shipper, transporter or trader of the petroleum products to construct its own private port handling facility within one (1) year from the effectivity of the Order.

The Tribune tried to get the side of the PPA management but the top official was out of the Virac port at the time.

On the other hand, the concerned PCG station in Virac is allegedly preparing its report to higher headquarters but indicated that it would not be released to the public.