Lapu won’t pursue case vs shipping firms

CEBU, Philippines - The city government of Lapu-Lapu does not intend to claim damages against 2GO and the Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corp. over an oil spill from the M/V St. Thomas Aquinas which sank on Lawis Ledge and affected mangroves and fishermen in the city.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza in her regular press conference yesterday said that the city have no plans to follow suit what the municipality of Cordova has done.

Earlier, Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy has formalized the town’s claim amounting to P126 million for the total damage caused by the oil.

Although small fishermen in Lapu-Lapu claimed that they were affected by the oil spill, Radaza said the city government was able to address the problem right away. Most of these fishermen are living in the islet barangays of Pangan-an, Caw-oy and Caohagan.

The city government used their resources in addressing the oil spill, said Radaza.

The mayor, however, is welcome to any form of help the concerned shipping agencies will provide to the city. — (FREEMAN)