US warship's damage to Tubbataha Reef worsens to over 4,000 sqm
Angelique Songco, Tubbataha marine park manager, said the most recent damage assessment showed that the area the US Navy's minesweeper ship has affected is worse than the initial estimate of 1,000 sqm.
“First time kasi 'yung sa harap lang. You see that picture? 'Yung may ano, so ngayon yung ibang impact areas nahanap na at na-assess na and so it is 4,000 plus,” Songco said in an interview with reporters that formed part of a report of GMA News' Bernadette Reyes on the '24 Oras' newscast. Four thousand square meters is about the size of ten basketball courts. According to FIBA rules, the dimensions of a playing court for amateur basketball is 28 meters by 15 meters or 420 square meters, an area which when multiplied by 10, totals 4,200 square meters.
Songco told reporters that the latest damage estimates were based on data from the US Navy.
The stranded warship weighs 1,300 tons, according to its US Navy webpage. It has been atop the Tubbataha corals since January 17.
Earlier, the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau said that the US Navy may be fined for at least about P12,000 or $300 per square meter of damaged corals.
With the latest impact assessment, the minimum mandatory fine could be at about P48 million. The additional fine for rehabilitation efforts would be another $300 and could raise the total fine to about P96 million.
“Like a ticking taxi meter, the passing of each minute and hour raises the stakes,” World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) - Philippines vice chair and CEO Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan was quoted as saying in apost on the WWF Philippines website. Tan is a member of the Tubbataha Protected Area Management Board.
“However, safety must be chosen over speed – hasty efforts might do further harm to the reef,” Tan also said.
The Philippine Coast Guard's Task Force Tubbataha said the first of two crane ships sent to help remove the USS Guarddian was supposed to have arrived at the reef Friday but was delayed by bad weather at Singapore. That crane ship is now expected to arrive at the salvage site on Sunday.
Much of the warship’s potentially harmful content – including 15,000 gallons of fuel – have been removed from the ship. The US Navy noted that no oil spill occurred.
Likewise, the US Navy said that it will dismantle and safely remove the 23-year-old ship from the reef, "in sections."
"Guardian is badly damaged and with the deteriorating integrity of the ship, the weight involved, and where it is grounded on the reef, dismantling in sections is the only supportable option," said Capt. Darryn James, US Pacific Fleet spokesman.
"We have the right team of experienced professionals to conduct this complex operation and to ensure that it is done safely while minimizing damage to the surrounding marine environment," James added. — ELR, GMA News
Watcha say Ces?
US warship's damage to Tubbataha Reef worsens to over 4,000 sqm
Angelique Songco, Tubbataha marine park manager, said the most recent damage assessment showed that the area the US Navy's minesweeper ship has affected is worse than the initial estimate of 1,000 sqm.
“First time kasi 'yung sa harap lang. You see that picture? 'Yung may ano, so ngayon yung ibang impact areas nahanap na at na-assess na and so it is 4,000 plus,” Songco said in an interview with reporters that formed part of a report of GMA News' Bernadette Reyes on the '24 Oras' newscast. Four thousand square meters is about the size of ten basketball courts. According to FIBA rules, the dimensions of a playing court for amateur basketball is 28 meters by 15 meters or 420 square meters, an area which when multiplied by 10, totals 4,200 square meters.
Songco told reporters that the latest damage estimates were based on data from the US Navy.
The stranded warship weighs 1,300 tons, according to its US Navy webpage. It has been atop the Tubbataha corals since January 17.
Earlier, the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau said that the US Navy may be fined for at least about P12,000 or $300 per square meter of damaged corals.
With the latest impact assessment, the minimum mandatory fine could be at about P48 million. The additional fine for rehabilitation efforts would be another $300 and could raise the total fine to about P96 million.
“Like a ticking taxi meter, the passing of each minute and hour raises the stakes,” World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) - Philippines vice chair and CEO Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan was quoted as saying in apost on the WWF Philippines website. Tan is a member of the Tubbataha Protected Area Management Board.
“However, safety must be chosen over speed – hasty efforts might do further harm to the reef,” Tan also said.
The Philippine Coast Guard's Task Force Tubbataha said the first of two crane ships sent to help remove the USS Guarddian was supposed to have arrived at the reef Friday but was delayed by bad weather at Singapore. That crane ship is now expected to arrive at the salvage site on Sunday.
Much of the warship’s potentially harmful content – including 15,000 gallons of fuel – have been removed from the ship. The US Navy noted that no oil spill occurred.
Likewise, the US Navy said that it will dismantle and safely remove the 23-year-old ship from the reef, "in sections."
"Guardian is badly damaged and with the deteriorating integrity of the ship, the weight involved, and where it is grounded on the reef, dismantling in sections is the only supportable option," said Capt. Darryn James, US Pacific Fleet spokesman.
"We have the right team of experienced professionals to conduct this complex operation and to ensure that it is done safely while minimizing damage to the surrounding marine environment," James added. — ELR, GMA News
US warship's damage to Tubbataha Reef worsens to over 4,000 sqm
Angelique Songco, Tubbataha marine park manager, said the most recent damage assessment showed that the area the US Navy's minesweeper ship has affected is worse than the initial estimate of 1,000 sqm.
“First time kasi 'yung sa harap lang. You see that picture? 'Yung may ano, so ngayon yung ibang impact areas nahanap na at na-assess na and so it is 4,000 plus,” Songco said in an interview with reporters that formed part of a report of GMA News' Bernadette Reyes on the '24 Oras' newscast. Four thousand square meters is about the size of ten basketball courts. According to FIBA rules, the dimensions of a playing court for amateur basketball is 28 meters by 15 meters or 420 square meters, an area which when multiplied by 10, totals 4,200 square meters.
Songco told reporters that the latest damage estimates were based on data from the US Navy.
The stranded warship weighs 1,300 tons, according to its US Navy webpage. It has been atop the Tubbataha corals since January 17.
Earlier, the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau said that the US Navy may be fined for at least about P12,000 or $300 per square meter of damaged corals.With the latest impact assessment, the minimum mandatory fine could be at about P48 million. The additional fine for rehabilitation efforts would be another $300 and could raise the total fine to about P96 million.
“Like a ticking taxi meter, the passing of each minute and hour raises the stakes,” World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) - Philippines vice chair and CEO Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan was quoted as saying in apost on the WWF Philippines website. Tan is a member of the Tubbataha Protected Area Management Board.
“However, safety must be chosen over speed – hasty efforts might do further harm to the reef,” Tan also said.
The Philippine Coast Guard's Task Force Tubbataha said the first of two crane ships sent to help remove the USS Guarddian was supposed to have arrived at the reef Friday but was delayed by bad weather at Singapore. That crane ship is now expected to arrive at the salvage site on Sunday.
Much of the warship’s potentially harmful content – including 15,000 gallons of fuel – have been removed from the ship. The US Navy noted that no oil spill occurred.
Likewise, the US Navy said that it will dismantle and safely remove the 23-year-old ship from the reef, "in sections."
"Guardian is badly damaged and with the deteriorating integrity of the ship, the weight involved, and where it is grounded on the reef, dismantling in sections is the only supportable option," said Capt. Darryn James, US Pacific Fleet spokesman.
"We have the right team of experienced professionals to conduct this complex operation and to ensure that it is done safely while minimizing damage to the surrounding marine environment," James added. — ELR, GMA News
Watcha say Ces?
Tubbataha Reef is located in Sulu Sea, Philippines. It is one of the greatest treasures Philippines have but sad ta say, it is in danger now. The time I have read about the news, I was shocked because Tubbataha is really being taken cared of by the Filipinos and it will only be damaged by other people. Though it was an accident, the fact that it is in danger, it makes not only me but all the people especially Filipinos to be sad.
Even though I have not been there, well I wish I can go, I know that it is such a paradise for marine lives. Actually it is also a perfect diving spot for scuba divers and for other explorers. Now that a big ship was stuck and was still not retrieved, problems arose. One of the major aspect that is being affected by the said happening is really tourism and I can't deny that. Tourism in the Philippines plays a vital role in the economy. It has a large part on why Philippines is still surviving despite of the problems it faces. As a Filipino, I am very proud that I live in a place where a beautiful tourist spot is located and because of it my country is being visited by lots of tourists. It is a good thing that we are being visited by other people from other countries because of the amazing sites we have but tourists or should I say explorers like the people involved in the said article, they should have informed or asked permission to the people in-charge. They should not just directly enter the site because in the first place it a protected area here in the Philippines.
People who take care of the spot are greatly affected because they worked hard just to protect it and it will just be ruined easily by a ship. The income people get from this tourist spot will also be affected. How? They cannot accept visitors who want to enjoy the natural park because they still need to get rid of the ship that was wrecked in the spot. Tourism rate would go down and all other people who have businesses near the Tubbataha Natural Park would also be affected. Without tourists, no one would buy their items like, souvenir items and all other stuff being sold there. Their income would be affected so it may also affect their way of living. Many people are very grateful and that includes me because of all the beautiful spots we have here in the Philippines. Not only because of the beauty and pride it brings to the Philippines but also it gives people sources of income. As what I have said earlier, Tourism plays a big part in the Philippines' economy. The thing here is when our tourist spots are damaged, it creates a domino effect and the last one who will be affected are the people who live near the site. Even though it was just an accident, still the people who are involved should play there part in bringing back what was lost. It is not only for the people who live there or for the country's different aspect, it is for all of us who will soon need it.
These are just my little thoughts about this issue :> Thank you for sparing a little of your time reading my blog. I know you also have your little thoughts there, well keep it or share it, it's up to you! :) Until my next blog dear readers :> This is Ces Sendrijas and these are MY LITTLE THOUGHTS :)
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