Yellow Submarine vows to make amends

The management of the Yellow Submarine Undersea Tours Inc. yesterday vowed to make amends to the Lapu-Lapu City government after the suspension order was temporarily lifted on their operations.

“We would be willing to cooperate with the Lapu-Lapu City government on whatever they would require us–from permits to rehabilitating marine habitats,” Yellow Submarine general manager Jun Kim told reporters yesterday.

This came amid a technical report by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) stating that about 26 square meters of coral walls were damaged by the Yellow Submarine during its maiden tour last April 18.

The joint assessment was done with the Task Force Kalikasan of Lapu-Lapu City and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) last May 10.

The report stated that there were several broken corals and reef blocks “which were indications that damage to the corals and the coral reef were caused by accidental bumping” of the submersible seacraft.

Last Tuesday, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radasa lifted the suspension order on the Yellow Submarine pending a full report on the coral crash incident.

“We thank again the city government for considering our plight in the alleged crash and we are willing to follow and comply. We eagerly await for the official report,” Yellow Submarine Co. spokesperson Agnes Escaño said.

Kim said they are still waiting for the papers from the city mayor’s office confirming the lifting of the cease and desist order against them. Kim said they will also pay the P250,000 monitoring fee.

In lifting the suspension order, the Lapu-Lapu City government will assign marshals and teams to monitor the daily tours of the Yellow Submarine especially at the Kontiki Drop near the coral walls.

The Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation (CCEF) represented by Dr. Aileen Maypa will finish its report on the coral crash incident involving the Yellow Submarine next week.

The report will be used as basis for crafting guidelines by the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) on the use of the submarine for undersea tours.

DENR Regional Executive Director Isabelo Montejo said they submitted recommendations to the Lapu-Lapu City government on how to protect the coral walls.

Montejo said the Yellow Submarine incident set a legal precedent and the damage wasn’t done intentionally.

He said it would be better for the management to work with the Lapu-Lapu City government and other concerned agencies in ensuring the preservation of the coral walls.

Kim said they will include in their tours a primer for tourists on how to protect the marine environment.

“We learned how Filipinos value very much the marine environment,” he said. Correspondents Norman V. Mendoza and Joy Cherry C. Quito