MANILA -- The Philippines will ask the United States to pay a fine of
$1.4 million for the damage caused by US Navy minesweeper USS Guardian
that ran aground in Tubbataha Reef in January 17.
Under Republic Act 10067, or the “Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Act of 2009,” a fine of about $600 or P24,000 per square meter of damaged reef is mandatory.
“Further park rule violations boosted the final total to slightly less than P60 million or roughly $1.4 million,” the Tubbataha Management Office (TMO) said.
Reports said a letter requesting compensation would be sent to the US embassy next week.
“1.4 million US dollar is but a slap on the wrist as the salvage operation has been estimated to cost close to $45 million," said Tubbataha Reef park superintendent Angelique Songco.
"However, we respect the rule of law and these are the fines stipulated. TMO will not ask for anything more,” Songco added.
The reef experts, who are from TMO, University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute, National Institute of Physics, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), De La Salle University (DLSU), the US Navy, and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), have finished assessing the damage.
According to the assessment, the fine was based on the damaged area that spans about 2,345.67 square meters -- smaller than the 4,000 square meters originally estimated by an American team.
“Swift resolution of this matter will allow TMO to build a significant endowment fund to sustain its operations through the years," said World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines vice chairperson and CEO Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan.
"The basic issue here is not tourism. It is food security. This fresh infusion of funds will allow TMO to concentrate on putting the money to good use – from building a better Ranger Station to upgrading their capacity to manage the country’s most productive coral reef. Let us settle what must be settled, learn what must be learned and move forward,” Tan said.
The US embassy has expressed regret about the incident and has reiterated that Washington was prepared to pay for the damage. (PNA/Sunnex)
Under Republic Act 10067, or the “Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Act of 2009,” a fine of about $600 or P24,000 per square meter of damaged reef is mandatory.
“Further park rule violations boosted the final total to slightly less than P60 million or roughly $1.4 million,” the Tubbataha Management Office (TMO) said.
Reports said a letter requesting compensation would be sent to the US embassy next week.
“1.4 million US dollar is but a slap on the wrist as the salvage operation has been estimated to cost close to $45 million," said Tubbataha Reef park superintendent Angelique Songco.
"However, we respect the rule of law and these are the fines stipulated. TMO will not ask for anything more,” Songco added.
The reef experts, who are from TMO, University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute, National Institute of Physics, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), De La Salle University (DLSU), the US Navy, and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), have finished assessing the damage.
According to the assessment, the fine was based on the damaged area that spans about 2,345.67 square meters -- smaller than the 4,000 square meters originally estimated by an American team.
“Swift resolution of this matter will allow TMO to build a significant endowment fund to sustain its operations through the years," said World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines vice chairperson and CEO Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan.
"The basic issue here is not tourism. It is food security. This fresh infusion of funds will allow TMO to concentrate on putting the money to good use – from building a better Ranger Station to upgrading their capacity to manage the country’s most productive coral reef. Let us settle what must be settled, learn what must be learned and move forward,” Tan said.
The US embassy has expressed regret about the incident and has reiterated that Washington was prepared to pay for the damage. (PNA/Sunnex)
