KORONADAL CITY -- The Provincial Government of Sarangani has formally asked the Philippine Coast Guard to hold MV Double Prosperity until it can pay the damages wrought to a protected reef in Kiamba town, initially placed at P42 million.
Arnel A. Zapatos, Sarangani chief legal officer, said that marine experts they have requested to conduct a study recommended the amount, which is the same as what the Department of Environment and Natural Resources earlier asked as initial damage cost.
But he told Sun.Star in a phone interview that the Provincial Government and the ship's owner have yet to agree on the exact amount.
It is now over a month since the bulk cargo carrier ran aground at Bacud Reef, which is home to 145 species belonging to 29 families of reef fishes, including the endangered Mameng or Napoleon wrasse, Cheilinus undulates.
