Lagundi, three other reefs to share donated $10,000

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City Councilor Bernard Odilao has assured that the city's three marine protected areas (MPAs) will benefit from the $10,000 the Chinese cargo ship MV United had donated after it ran aground in Lagundi Reef in 2009.

Odilao's assurance came shortly after the council last Tuesday approved his proposal to use the $10,000 which has reportedly been saved in the city's trust fund since March 2009.                Chinese cargo ship MV United's shipmaster donated the money to the city government after his ship ran aground in Lagundi Reef last March 5, 2009, supposedly for the rehabilitation of the damaged coral reef in barangay Poblacion.

The three-term councilor said a representative of MV United has inquired from the city government about its donation.

Odilao, who chairs the committee on Environment, said aside from the Lagundi Reef, Pungaton Reef and Makatol Reef in the coastal villages of Tanke and Pooc, will also benefit from the donation.

Odilao said a Weesam Express vessel had ran aground in Pungaton last September, therefore it also needs rehabilitation.

"Butangan na nato sila og mga marine buoys ug floating guardhouse para mahibaw-an sa tanang moagi nga MPA na sila," said Odilao referring to the three reefs.

Meanwhile, Councilor Danny Caballero, vice chairman of the committee on Environment, said the move should have been done shortly after the March 5, 2009 incident.

"Magkadugay, magkadako ang damage sa coral reef. Mao gani, nisamot na ang illegal fishing sa mga MPA nato diri kay wa may mga boya ug gwardiya sa lugar," Caballero said.

Caballero, a member of the opposition bloc, said he already made the same proposal months ago but was rejected by the council.

He waits for the implementation of Odilao's resolution, saying there's no reason for the administration bloc to dilly dally with the implementation considering that the money is available. (FREEMAN)