Flower offering, blessing held at Lawis Ledge

CEBU, Philippines - The casualties from the vessel collision incident leading to the sinking of one of the ships last August 16 rose to 108 as reported by the Philippine Coast Guard during yesterday’s regular command conference at the Cebu City Hall.

PCG Cebu Station Commander Weniel Azcuna reported that the number in the ongoing retrieval operations on the sunken passenger vessel, M/V St. Thomas Aquinas, has increased from 98 as reported last Saturday’s conference.

Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes manager, Engr. Bong Ebo, said that of the 108 fatalities, 57 have already been released to relatives after getting clearance from authorities.

Ebo reported that eight bodies were cremated while another 47 remain to be unidentified.

Only two survivors have remained admitted in hospitals, a good news that pleased Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.

With the sunken ship causing oil spill primary affecting Cordova shores and now parts of Talisay City, Azcuna said they received reports of the oil spill reaching Naga City but stressed that they are still verifying the information.

2GO manager Calvin Rosellosa claimed that “Cordova coastline is teeming with activity, with water now clearer and children swimming despite being prevented by authorities” particularly the Department of Health to avoid skin disease like contact dermatitis as earlier advised.

The pump shipped from Japan which will remove the remaining oil at the sunken vessel is scheduled to arrive in Subic, Zambales on September 6 and in Cebu the following day, Rosellosa said.

With this, Rama asked 2GO to make the arrival a little earlier before his departure for Taiwan.

Bantay Dagat Commission director, retired Col. Arnulfo Sebusa said that they have finished installing oil spill boom made from coconut husk at the threatened six coastal barangays specifically near South Road Properties.

Regular monitoring and round the clock roving are also conducted by Bantay Dagat, he said.

Meanwhile, Rama together with three councilors have offered prayers and flowers off  Lawis  Ledge where the tragic collision between passenger ship MV St. Thomas Aquinas of 2GO Shipping and cargo vessel Sulpicio Express Siete happened.

Councilors Mary Ann de los Santos, Hans Abella, Dave Tumulak and Azcuna joined yesterday the blessing administered by Rev. Fr. Wesley Noel of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.

“Through the blessing and flower throwing, these showed our sentiments and our mourning with the rest of the families who lost their loved ones because of the tragedy,” said Rama.

After the blessing, Rama uttered farewell “ba-bye” to the missing souls.

“Atong gibendisyunan ug naghalad kita’g pag-ampo nga maoy pinakanindot nga hupay ngadto sa pamilya ug biktima alang sa kapahulayan sa mga kalag,” said Fr. Noel.

Also yesterday, the PCG and the Malayan technical divers applied chemical dispersant on the water.

“Gamay na lamang ang oil ug di na pud baho sama sa niaging mga adlaw ug gani kontrolado na ang tanan, everything is what we expected,” Rama said. (FREEMAN)