For 2GO-Span Asia oil spill: Cordova demands P126M in damages

CEBU, Philippines - As far as Cordova town is concerned, 2GO and the Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corp. owe them P126 million for the total damage caused by the oil spill from the M/V St. Thomas Aquinas which sank in Lawis Ledge last year.

The Municipality of Cordova yesterday formalized their claim and the amount for the damage incurred after Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy forwarded a formal communication dated yesterday, demanding that recipients must pay the local government unit within 30 days, otherwise they will pursue legal action.

"This is to formalize our claim over the marine insurance proceeds derived from the protection and indemnity insurance coverage collectible from Pioneer Insurance and Surety Corporation with branch office at Pres. Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu City, that extended such coverage to two vessels that collided in the evening of Aug. 16, 2013 in the vicinity of the territorial waters of Cordova and Talisay City, Cebu," read the letter signed by Sitoy.

The letter was addressed to 2GO Group chairman of the board Francis C. Chua, Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corporation chairman of the board Enrique Go, and the insurance management.

The Aquinas, owned by 2GO, sank off Lawis Ledge after colliding with cargo vessel M/V Sulpicio Express Siete owned by PSACC which led to a bunker fuel spill that did the most damage to Cordova. 2GO had to commission a private firm to carry out siphoning operations.

The breakdown of damages were discussed in detail by way of attached documents listing down the affected sectors in Cordova from the fisherfolks (P78.6 million), vendors (P1.38 million), livelihood projects (P5.1 million), and mangrove forests (P41.7 million).

As detailed in the attached particulars, the P78,645,000 damage to fisherfolks covered the 13 barangays of Alegria (P5.8 million), Bangbang (P10.77 million), Buagsong (P5.58 million), Catarman (P8.4 million), Cogon (P3.9 million), Dapitan (P1.6 million), Day-as (P8.4 million), Gabi (P1.05 million), Gilutongan (P6.3 million), Ibabao (P4.2 million), Pilipog (P7.7 million), Poblacion (P9.09 million), and San Miguel (P5.6 million).

Affected barangays for the claim on livelihood damages include Buagsong (P420,000), Cogon (P105,000), Pilipog Suroy-Suroy Vendors (P168,000), Pilipog Tulay Market (P2.016 million), and the Poblacion Public Market (P2.4 million).

A separate document also listed the affected livelihood projects of people's organizations namely Bantak and Bonsod project of Lucille Ando in Pilipog amounting to P342,140, Grouper Culture in Pen project (P161,474) and Siganid Culture in Pen (P117,720) both in Bangbang by NAMASBA, bangus culture in pen (P169,888) and siganid culture in pen (P344,608) both in Day-as by PADAMA, and the Siganid and Grouper Culture in Pen (P245,790) in Buagsong by VENTURA.

The demand letter sent Oct. 1, 2013 by Department of Environment and Natural Resources executive regional director Isabelo Montejo directing PSACC to pay a total amount of P41,704,600 was the basis of the town's claim on the oil spill damage, in all 328 hectares of newly planted and 115 hectares of productive mangrove plantations were affected.

Also attached was a copy of the Sangguniang Bayan Resolution No. 110-13 carried en masse last Monday authorizing the mayor to file the claim on behalf of the municipality.

2GO Group, through its assistant vice president Lito Salvio, said the demand letter had not reached their office as of yesterday.

"We have not received any communication regarding the Cordova claim," Salvio said in a text message sent to The FREEMAN. /BRP (FREEMAN)