By Michaela Del Callar
MANILA, Feb. 18 (PNA) — After two years, the United States has paid the Philippine government the requested full compensation amounting to Php87 million for the damage caused to Tubattaha reef by the grounding of an American warship in January 2013.
The Department of Foreign Affairs made the announcement in a statement issued on Wednesday, saying Manila received a total of Php87,033,570.71 in compensation from Washington on Jan. 20, 2015.
“The compensation will be utilized for the protection and rehabilitation of Tubbataha Reef Natural Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site,” the DFA said.
Part of the fund, it added, will also be used to further enhance capability to monitor the area and prevent similar incidents in the future.
In addition to the compensation received, the US government is also providing additional assistance to the Philippine Coast Guard to upgrade the PCG Substation in Tubbataha, where over 4,000 square meters were damaged by the US minesweeper.
The US military had to dismantle the ship to remove it and to prevent further damage to the reef – a United Nations-declared World Heritage Site.
The ship’s officers and crew were also relieved by the US military following the incident for failure to adhere to standard navigation procedures.(PNA)