Talisay councilors want update on Lagundi rehab

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City council presiding officer Vice Mayor Alan Bucao yesterday asked committee on environment chairman Councilor Bernard Joseph Odilao to submit a committee report as regards the $10,000 donated by MV Majuro, the Chinese ship that ran aground at Lagundi Reef, destroying corals.

The request for a report comes on the heels of an inquiry made by opposition councilor Danny Caballero who wanted to know the reasons why the rehabilitation of the reef in barangay Poblacion is being delayed.

In October 2011, the council approved a resolution authored by Odilao which sought the release of the money from the trust fund of the city so that rehabilitation of Lagundi Reef, Makatol, and Pungaton Reef in barangay Pooc and Tanke, could be started.

It's been more than four years now since MV Majuro ran aground in Lagundi Reef.

Chen Guangming, the ship captain of the cargo vessel, handed the $10,000 to city representatives.

Caballero said he has not seen a single marker in any of the three reefs nor has he heard of any step taken by the city to protect the reefs.

He said the reefs appear to be vulnerable to local and commercial fishermen and that another accident could happen again.

Odilao said temporary floaters were placed in Lagundi Reef but these were washed away.

He also said he had tasked local divers to clean Lagundi Reef. (FREEMAN)