It’s frustrating how the management of Sulpicio Lines and 2Go Shipping Inc. whose vessels collided and sank at Cebu’s Lawis Ledge—killing scores of passengers—last year continue to point fingers at each other for the ensuing oil spill.
Neither party is willing to cough up the P126 million demanded by the local government of the worst-hit town of Cordova under Mayor Adelino Sitoy.
Cordova’s seaside and municipal waters remain in need of a proper cleanup that would let marine species thrive again and allow fisherfolk to return to a normal life.
Complicating the situation is both the shipping firms and local government’s lack of creativity in exploring other means of healing a damaged ecosystem.
If the companies have a hard time giving cash aid for lack of insurance coverage, why not at least come to a compromise with the government by helping undo the aftereffects of the oil spill.
To do so now would be timely. We just celebrated the World Day of the Oceans in May. June is Environment Month.
Cordova residents can be hired for this in a work for food program if only to empower them against the inertia that results from dependence on dole outs.
While the more feasible intermediate steps are taken by the town and the firms, the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) can promptly process the collection of damages from the concerned companies.
The agency that has immediate jurisdiction over the firms shouldn’t just brandish its power to demand damages. By its nature, it is in a better position to do this and must step in boldly rather than leave Cordova’s chief executive in a perpetual tantrum.
An initial damage assessment was already conducted so it should not be hard for Marina in cooperation with the Environment Department to finalize how much needs to be collected and how this should be sourced.
Finally, for the sake of the living and the dead, the Special Board of Marine Inquiry must give justice to those who perished or were badly affected by the collision and oil spill.
To the board and the lawyers: Have a conscience. Wrap up the case. Have no part in the archives of maritime disasters that become perpetually unfinished business, unresolved suffering.
Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Cebudailynews. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.
