Despite promise to pay: Province still suing ship owners

CEBU, Philippines - Although the owners of M/V Belle Rose are willing to pay the estimated $2 million (P90 million) for the damage caused to Monad Shoal, Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III said they will still file a civil complaint to compel them to pay.

Davide said he talked to the owners' lawyer Thursday and the latter said they are willing to pay for the damage caused by their bulk carrier which ran aground in the shoal off Malaspacua Island Monday.

Quoting the counsel, Davide said the owners do not want litigation but are pushing for settlement agreement instead.

"The parties can always agree to compromise or settle without a long drawn out litigation…They are willing to pay," said Davide as he assured locals in Malapascua and Daanbantayan that the damage will be properly compensated.

Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office chief Baltazar Tribunalo Jr. and marine biologist Gary Cases, along with marine experts, went to Monad Shoal yesterday to assess further the extent of the damage.

The ship ploughed through the coral reefs on Monad Shoal and is still stuck among the corals.

It was environmental lawyer Benjamin Cabredo, co-founder of the Philippine Earth Justice, who estimated restoration of the coral colonies would cost $2 million and may take up to 10 years.

DENR-7 Conservation and Development Division Chief Mario Argao also said it would take at least five years for the corals to rejuvenate.

The bulk carrier damaged 2.39 hectares of coral reef, based on the initial assessment report. Experts said the damage may double after the completion of the salvage operations which may start today.

Floating the vessel

A salvage plan was already prepared as of 8 p.m. last night on how to refloat the 29,104 gross ton bulk carrier which is also carrying 48,000 tons of cement powder.

PCG-Cebu Coast Guard Station commander Agapito Bibat said that the vessel is mostly likely to be refloated today during high tide between 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

"It was decided based on the assessment nga birahon paatras ang barko para molutaw og balik," said Bibat. He said the salvage plan has yet to be finalized and submitted to the PCG for the issuance of an emergency salvage permit.

Yesterday five divers scoured the vessel to determine initial damage.

"Initially, ang upat ka water ballast sa barko nabuslot. But we can only determine the extent of the damaged of the vessel once molutaw na siya," said Bibat.

Bibat added that diving within the Monad Shoal, which is a favorite diving spot, is currently not allowed.

"Diving within the vicinity is not allowed kay delikado pa. Although I have seen divers diving pero layo ra sila," Bibat said.

Meanwhile, the Maritime Industry Authority has issued a certificate of sea worthiness to roll-on/roll-off vessel LCT 788 after it ran aground on Wednesday at Luisan Point in Caceres, Oslob town.

Bibat said the certificate was issued on Tuesday after MARINA inspected the vessel and found no damage to it as well as to the environment.

"Nasangad lang gyud to siya tungod sa kamabaw sa area. Wa man siya nasangit og any coral reef," said Bibat.

LCT 788 was bound for Toledo City from Naga City and was loaded with heavy equipment at the time of the incident, Bibat added.  (FREEMAN)