The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Central Visayas has estimated that at least P6.5 million in damage compensation should be paid by those who would be held responsible for an oil spill that ravaged mangroves and marine life in Cordova town and Lapu-Lapu City. The oil spill is a result of the collision between the passenger vessel MV St. Thomas Aquinas and cargo ship Sulpicio Express Siete on Aug. 16. The regional DENR office based its estimated damage compensation amount on the value of one hectare of mangroves, which it placed at P20,000.

Asutilla, C. (2013, August 25). Oil spill damage estimate: ₱6.5M. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A7.