Four years after a Chinese vessel named M/V Majuro ran aground on Lagundi Reef near the shores of Talisay City, the city government has shown little interest to repair the damage and have not gone after the vessel’s owner.
“They have only 40 percent interest in preserving the nature of the sea,” said Bong Nator of the Talisay City Aquanaut, a group tasked by the Talisay City government to rehabilitate the Lagundi Reef.
Nator showed to Cebu Daily News pictures of the reef that were littered with plastic wrappers, fishnets, cans and other garbage.
The owner of M/V Majuro offered $10,000 for the rehabilitation of the reef.
However, Nator said the Talisay City government only released P200,000 for rehabilitation this year.
The amount will be used to buy diving equipment and the repair of the compressor machine.
“Kung interesado pa sila sa pag-rehab sa Lagundi diha-diha unta unta dayun ilang matagaan ug (If they were interested to rehab Laguindi they should have immediately released the) budget,” Nator said.
Councilor Danny Caballero questioned the City Council on the delays in the rehabilitation works.
Councilor Bernard Odilao, chairman of the council’s environment committee, was unable to give an update on the reef rehabilitation work. Correspondent Gabriel C. Bonjoc