Stranded ship in Pangasinan poses threat to residents: LGU

Stranded ship in Pangasinan poses threat to residents: LGU
Hilda Austria June 13, 2022 https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1176557

BACKDROP. The stranded ship at the Abagatanen beach in Agno town Pangasinan is now considered a nuisance by the municipality. The ship has been stranded in the area since February 4 this year. (Photo courtesy of Lhaiy Episcope's Facebook page)
AGNO, Pangasinan – The local government unit (LGU) here declared the stranded vessel at the Abagatanen beach as a public nuisance.

It also passed a resolution ordering the ship owner to answer the liabilities for damages caused by the ship’s grounding.

This, after the MV Sunny Link cargo ship allegedly poses a threat to the residents with the onset of typhoon season and has impacted on the tourism industry in the town.

Philippine Coast Guard Pangasinan station chief, commander Mark Theodore Valencia, in an interview on Monday, said the negotiation between the shipping company and the town is ongoing.

He said Agno Mayor Gualberto Sison issued an executive order declaring the vessel a public nuisance.

The Sangguniang Bayan (municipal council) also passed a resolution ordering the detention of the MV Sunny Link.

“Its grounding compromised the livelihood of barangay Macaboboni residents due to the unexpected decline in the arrival of local and foreign tourists during its unloading of heavy steel slabs for reasons of safety,” the resolution read.

Valencia said the ship owner’s representative has communicated with the town while PCG awaits the decision of the two parties.

He said they would continue to monitor the cargo vessel and ensure the residents and tourists’ safety while it remained aground in the sea area of Abagatanen beach.

Valencia said the vessel carrying steel slabs was traveling from Indonesia to China when its hull was damaged and needed to get to the nearest shoreline, which was the Abagatanen beach, on February 4.

He said the content of the cargo vessel, including its crew, was transferred as they ensured there was no oil leak and no corals were damaged since the area was sandy as confirmed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Nhaowie Vivora, a tourist, said the presence of the ship indeed affected their stay at the famous Abagatanen beach. (PNA)