The Dumaguete City government is bent on filing a damage suit against two shipping lines whose vessels damaged severely the coral reefs in the city's 6.5-hectare marine sanctuary area, in Barangay Banilad Monday.

Both MV Jake Vincente of Dos Villa Shipping Lines based in Siquijor and MV Anastacia of July Lightherage Corporation ran aground in the marine sanctuary, investigation showed.

MV Jake Vincente Dos was on its way to the Dumaguete Coconut Oil Mills port in San Miguel, Bacong from Subic Bay, Olongapo City, loaded with tons of animal feeds, when it miscalculated its destination.

In the investigation, the ship captain, Laurencio Demape, thought it was already the DUCOMI port, and it was too late when he learned that the ship had already ran aground at the shallow marine sanctuary in Banilad, Dumaguete, near Sta. Monica beach.

Unfortunately, MV Anastacia, in its attempt to rescue the first vessel also ran aground. Vice Mayor William Ablong had called for a special meeting with officials of the city and the Philippine Coast Guard to come up with a special investigation on the mishap.

The Philippine Coast Guard will also file another case against the two shipping companies.

Ablong, an active environmentalist, said he was saddened by the incident. He said the process of growing coral reefs will take 80 to 100 years.

Reports from Bantay Dagat revealed the damage was estimated at about three meters seaward.

The city has also asked Silliman University President Ben Malayang III for assistance from the Silliman Marine Laboratory headed by Dr. Hilconida Calumpong.

The laboratory has conducted an underwater assessment on the damage of the marine sanctuary, the result of which will be released on Jan. 29 and will be the basis for the investigation of the city.

Under the city government ordinance, anybody who will destroy the marine sanctuary will be penalized by imprisonment and will be administratively fined.

On the other hand, the city police said it does not want to take chances and immediately verified reports that MV Jake Vicente Dos was bringing hitch-hikers from Subic, city PNP chief Supt. Dionardo Carlos said.

Carlos and his team, however, failed to recover contraband items believed to be carried by a one Karen Valdez.*JG/MA

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