The Cordova municipal government and a group of fishermen are seeking about P132 million in damage payment from the owners of two vessels that last year collided and leaked oil, polluting the town’s marine environment. The fishermen are also seeking a separate payment of at least P81 million for the loss of livelihood as a result of the oil spill. A petition for the cleanup, rehabilitation and restoration of the marine ecosystem, and for reimbursement was filed in the Regional Trial Court Branch 28, a designated environment court, on Thursday, almost a year after the MV St. Thomas Aquinas and MV Sulpicio Express Siete collided in waters off Lawis Ledge on Aug. 16, 2013.

Mayol, A. V. S. (2014, August 16). Town, fishermen demand P132M for damage from 2013 oil spill. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A9.