Retrieval of toxic cargo to finally start Sept. 24

After over three months, a US-based salvaging company will finally start retrieving the toxic cargo in the M/V Princess of the Stars, which sank at the height of typhoon “Frank” last June 21 off Romblon and left some 700 people dead.

Undersecretary Ma. Elena Bautista of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), also the acting chief of the Maritime Industry Authority, told the House committee on appropriations that the retrieval operations will start on Sept. 24.

She informed Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros that Titan Salvage Corp., hired by ship owner Sulpicio Lines Inc., would be paid around $6 billion for the job.

Bautista said victims’ bodies still stuck in the ship would be retrieved a month later.

“The retrieval of toxic cargo will last 30 days. Then we will start the retrieval of the bodies,” Bautista told the House committee headed by Quirino Rep. Junie Cua that is deliberating on the DOTC’s proposed P23.6-billion budget for 2009.

Last July, Sulpicio Lines’ executive vice president Edward Go admitted to Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga that there are other “toxic substances” on board the Princess of the Stars, aside from the 10 metric tons of the pesticide endosulfan.

These include the 150 liters of metamidophos and 501 kilograms of carbofuran, both shipments made by Bayer Philippines, an industrial company engaged in the pesticide and chemical business.