P1M paid for damage to mangroves

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 has released more than P1 million to some seven people’s organizations (POs) in Cordova town and in Lapulapu City where  mangrove plantations were damaged by the oil slick.

DENR-7 regional executive director Isabelo Montejo said that they already started distributing checks to the affected people’s organizations the other day as those mangrove plantations which were destroyed are under contract with the agency’s Integrated Coastal Resource Management Project (ICRMP).

The seven PO beneficiaries are Nagkahiusang Mananagat sa Bang-Bang with P424,320; Pilipog Fishermen Association with P87,715; Alegria Fisherfolks Association with P66,300; Singgit sa Mananagat sa Barangay San Miguel with P106,080.

Panaghugpong sa Day-asanong Mananagat with P53,300; Gilutongan Water Distributor and Resource Management Multi-purpose Cooperative with P66,300; and Nagkahiusang Mananagat sa Calawisan with P265,200.

“It should be emphasized here that the P6.560 million as compensation damage covering 328 hectares of mangrove plantations mostly less than one meter in height should be collected as soon as we have the final results of the Special Board of Marine Inquiry,” Montejo said.

Montejo stressed that the amount is still demandable to whichever shipping company is liable of the incident.

DENR-7 spokesperson Ed Llamedo said that the release of the aggregate amount of P1.068 million covers disbursement vouchers with requirements to include affidavits executed by the barangay captains attesting the mangrove plantations were damaged by the oil slick and certifications indicating completed plantations based on the number of approved hectare per project.

As reported, nine barangays were severely hit by the oil spill including Bangbang, Buagsong, Day-as, Catarman, Poblacion, Alegria, Gabi, Pilipog and San Miguel in Cordova and some in Lapu-Lapu City like Calawisan, Babag, and Suba-basbas. —/GMR (FREEMAN)