‘Tubbataha ideal spot for Valentine’s Day’

MANILA, Philippines - With its clear waters and rich marine resources, Tubbataha Reef could be considered as one of the most beautiful spots to spend Valentine’s Day, according to Coast Guard Palawan District commander Commodore Enrico Efren Evangelista.

Covering roughly 10,000 hectares, Tubbataha Reef is home to 600 species of fish, 360 species of corals, 11 species of sharks, 13 species of dolphins and whales, 100 species of birds and also serves as the nesting ground for hawksbill and green sea turtles.

A special permit is needed to visit the reef, which is a world Heritage site.

However, there is no Valentine for the men and women doing preliminary clearing operations on the US Navy warship that got stranded at Tubbataha.

“It’s an ordinary working Valentine’s Day here,” he said.

The salvors would also be spending the day far away from their families and loved ones.

Several vessels are at the site to help in the clearing operations. Apart from the crane ship Smit Borneo, the US government has hired the services of support ships for the salvaging operations such as the M/T Trabajador 1 of Malayan Towage and Salvaging Corp. and the Vos Apollo of a Malaysian company based in Singapore.

The US Navy’s USNS Salvor is also at the site.

The Coast Guard’s BRP Corregidor recently left the site and would be replaced by BRP Romblon.

“The BRP Romblon would be leaving Puerto Princesa and proceed to Tubbataha today,” Evangelista said.