Asia/Pacific News
$4.8 Million in Damages, Clean Up Costs Sought Over Bunker Spill
A town in the Philippines and a group of fishermen are seeking a combined $4.8 million in damages and clean-up costs after a deadly ferry collision last year caused a bunker spill that affected five villages in Cordova town, local media reports.
In August last year, the MV St. Thomas Aquinas, operated by Philippine travel company 2Go Travel, collided with Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corp. (PSACC)'s cargo vessel MV Sulpicio Express Siete and sank carrying 20,000 litres of diesel, 120,000 litres of bunker oil, and 20,00 litres of lube oil.
The petition asks for 2Go Travel and PSACC to pay P132 million ($3.02 million) for the complete rehabilitation of the town's marine environment, and a separate payment of at least P81 million ($1.86 million) in damages for the loss of livelihood as a result of the spill.
Jaime Vibar, a lawyer for PSACC, was quoted as saying 2Go Travel should be held accountable as the leaked bunkers did not come from its vessel.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Maritime Industry Authority, and the Philippine Coast Guard have also all been named in the case for failing to protect the town from the oil spill.
"They just keep on delaying things. So now, we're asking the court to compel these government agencies to perform their mandate under threat of contempt," said Lawyer Benjamin Cabrido, of Philippine Earth Justice Center and whose law firm represents the fishermen.
"We believe there is still bunker fuel and oil in the sunken ship. These still pose an imminent threat to the marine environment of Cordova and the adjoining coastal towns."
