Inspection of oil spill site sought
“Let’s have an occular inspection.”
This was the request of lawyer Benjamin Cabrido of the Philippine Earth Justice Center to the court as the hearing of a P213- million damage suit for marine pollution opened yesterday in Mandaue City.
The lawyer of Cordova town fisherfolk said the judge and lawyers of the two vessels that collided off Lawis Ledge, Talisay City in Aug. 16 last year should see for themselves how oil that leaked from the sunken MV St. Thomas Aquinas has “irreversibly disrupted” Cordova town’s coastline.
“The oil spill may have stopped but the damage it caused to the municipality will last for generations. Consider how many mangroves died. And look at the growth of those mangroves now,” he said.
Judge Mercedita Dadole-Ygnacio of the Regional Trial Court Branch 28 is hearing arguments of the parties to determine whether there is basis to issue a Temporary Environmental Protection Order (TEPO).
Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy and fisherfolk of Cordova town filed two class suits against 2GO Group Inc. and Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corp. (PSACC) for the collision that resulted in the deaths of over 116 passengers and an oil spill.
Cordova is seeking US$3 million (roughly P132 million) in damages to pay for the complete rehabilitation of Cordova’s marine environment while fisherfolk are seeking payment of at least P81 million to cover their “loss of livelihood.”
Mayor Sitoy and fisherman Yolando Escabas of the Pundok sa mga Mananagat sa Cordova Inc. were presented as the first two witnesses.
They affirmed the contents of their affidavits describing the damage.
“Until now, we cannot find swaki (sea urchins). It appears as though the area has been swept clean. All were wiped out,” said the fisherman in Cebuano.
He said the sticky oil reached the shores and clung to the rocks and sand.Days after the sea collision, Escabas said, seashells and other marine creatures were covered with oil.
“They have ruined God’s given grace,” he said.
“We suffered for two months with no means of income. We have never experienced such hardship,” he said.
In his affidavit, Mayor Sitoy said the town had to give financial assistance to the fisherfolk and to the first vendors “even until now.”
Sitoy said 2GO Shipping and Sulpicio declined to pay for the environmental damage.
“Our coastal environment has been mutilated with the onslaught of the oil spill,” he said.
Three more witnesses will be presented in the next hearing on Oct. 10.
Lawyers of the shipping firms said they will file their answers in court. 2GO Shipping was represented by Manila-based lawyer Dennis Cabanos while Sulpicio’s counsel is Ma. Victoria Pido.
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