Over ₱6.5 million in compensation is being sought for the damage of mangrove plantations by oil spilled from passenger ship, M/V Thomas Aquinas, which sunk off the coast of Cordova last Friday evening. To recall, the passenger ship owned by 2G0 Group was slammed by cargo ship Sulpicio Express 7 at Lauis Ledge, not far from Cebu port on the evening of August 16, Friday last week. the passenger ship went down and started leaking oil. According to the investigation conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Region VII (DENR-7), the oil spill has severely destroyed mangrove plantations affecting over 328 hectares covering 12 barangays in Cordova and Lapu-Lapu City.

Indino, P. J. (2013, August 23). Compensation for damaged mangroves sought. Manila Bulletin, p. 16.