Officials say Mactan tourism survives spill

CEBU, Philippines - Despite the recent oil spill from the sunken M/V Saint Thomas Aquinas, tourism in Cebu continues to thrive, officials said.

Hembler Mendoza, Lapu-Lapu City tourism officer, said hotels in the city have enjoyed an 82 to 85 percent occupancy average rate within the 10 days since the oil spill was reported.

The M/V Saint Thomas Aquinas collided with the M/V Sulpicio Express Siete last August 16 at Lawis Ledge, Talisay City. Subsequently, the M/V Saint Thomas Aquinas sank and has released at least 100,000 liters of oil.

Last August 25, Mayor Paz Radaza along with general managers of hotels and resorts in the city engaged in water sports activities to prove the beaches area safe and it is “business as usual” in the island.

Mendoza said the occupancy rate has remained strong in all 4,414 rooms in the 61 resorts and hotels listed under the local government.

While potential guests have inquired about the spill, no one has reportedly cancelled booked flights.

To prevent the spill from damaging Mactan’s shores, Mendoza said man-made oil spill booms made from materials from the city’s material recovery facility have been put in place.

Meanwhile, Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy said the local government is focusing on two things at present - to bring back what used to be a thriving livelihood of the residents in the town and to attract tourists back to Cordova. 

Cordova has been the most affected by the oil spill as hectares of their mangrove and fish pens have been covered with oil.

Sitoy said the most affected are the local entrepreneurs who are serving the town’s specialty dishes made from “Bakasi” or eel.

To prove that eel from the town are still safe to eat, Sitoy and other local officials invited guests to dine with them in a “Bakasi” banquet.

Governor Hilario Davide III has said the provincial government is aiding the affected barangays especially those whose tourism sector has been affected. Generally, Davide said, they are optimistic of the continuous boost of tourism in Cebu.

Meanwhile, an equipment that will siphon the remaining oil in the sunken M/V St.Thomas Aquinas along the shores of Talisay City will arrive this coming September 6, said 2GO Vice President Angelito Salvio during a forum in the town yesterday.

He said that once the equipment arrives, the Malayan Salvage firm hired by 2GO will remove the oil within a month.

In yesterday’s forum, Dr. Resurreccion Sadaba of the University of the Philippines Visayas Oil Spill Response Center, also said they cannot assess the impact of the spill in Cordova if the sunken 2GO vessel will continue to release oil.

During the forum, fishermen also continued to ask for more aid as the assistance extended to them by different government agencies is reportedly not enough to meet their daily needs. Teodulo Jumao-as, a fisherman and chair of the Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council, asked 2Go to give cash assistance to affected residents.

“Kuwang ra ang mga tabang nga among nadawat sa mga ahensya sa gobyerno , Jumao-as told reporters.

Fishing and collecting of seashells in Cordova have been stopped because of the oil spill caused by the Aug. 16 sea tragedy near Talisay City.

Salvio said the company will coordinate with the local government for their assistance.

Mayor Adelino Sitoy said he will meet with the fishermen tomorrow to hear their concerns. – (FREEMAN)