Cordova town’s mangroves were damaged by the oil spill caused by last year’s collision between two vessels off Talisay City’s waters. (CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO)
THE city government of Lapu-Lapu will not sue the two shipping firms whose vessels collided and caused an oil spill in August last year.
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza said they will not follow the lead of Cordova which recently sent a demand letter to 2Go Group Inc. and Philippine Span Asia Carriers Inc. as well as Pioneer Insurance claiming over P126 million as damage compensation over the oil spill.
She said only one barangay, Kalawisan, was affected by the oil spill.
Radaza said barangays Suba Basbas and Marigondon were spared from damage after clean up teams managed to stem the oil leak.
2GO which owns M/V St. Thomas Aquinas, and Span Asia, which owns M/V Sulpicio Express Siete have yet to issue statements on the demand of Cordova municipal government.
MV St. Thomas Aquinas carried 120,000 liters of bunker fuel, 40,000 liters of diesel and lubricants when it sank after a collision with MV Sulpicio Express Siete.
It caused a massive oil spill that damaged the mangroves of Cordova town and the cities of Talisay and Lapu-Lapu. Cordova bore the brunt of the oil spill damage while Radaza said Lapu-Lapu City’s tourism was mostly unaffected.
Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy sent demand letters to Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corp. (PSACC), the 2GO Group Inc. and Pioneer Insurance and Surety Corp. seeking payment for lost livelihood and damaged resources.
“Although we read about the demand through the newspapers, we still haven’t received the communication. We will issue a statement as soon as we get a copy,” 2GO asst. vice president
Lito Salvio told Cebu Daily News in a phone interview.
Salvio said they will issue a statement today. Cebu Daily News tried but was unable to contact Grant Go, Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corp (PSACC) vice president for operations for their side.
Sitoy gave 2GO, PSACC and Pioneer Insurance 30 days to pay up the P126 million otherwise the municipal government will elevate their case to court.