Parties meeting today on P127M

CEBU, Philippines - Officials of Cordova, Cebu and two shipping companies involved in the sea collision last year are set to convene today to settle the issue concerning the P127-million compensation for the environmental damage demanded by the town.

The 127 million is for the damage suffered by Cordova’s mangroves and fishing communities because  of the oil spill that followed after the collision between MV Thomas Aquinas, owned by 2GO Group, Inc., and MV Sulpicio Express Siete of Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corp., formerly Sulpicio Lines Inc., August 16 last year.

Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy had said the amount covers the affected sectors in Cordova, including the fisherfolks whom he pegged an amount of P78.6 million.

The bunker fuel spill from MV Thomas Aquinas, which sank shortly after the collision, damaged hectares of mangroves in the town.

However, 2GO had said it is not paying the amount until such time that a liability as regards the incident is established.

 Sitoy, though, had said there was no need to wait for the Maritime Industry Authority to determine who was at fault since payment is covered by the marine insurance proceeds derived from the protection and indemnity insurance of the two sea vessels.

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III hoped that the issue would be resolved in the meeting today and that the concerned parties would show up.

He said the Cebu provincial government will not take any side, as its role was only to bring the parties together for them to try to settle the issue amicably.

In a text message sent to The FREEMAN, Sitoy said he is also hoping for an amicable settlement.

“Whether settlement or litigation... (I am) hoping for settlement,” he said. (FREEMAN)