Paz allows Yellow Sub to pick up where it left off

CEBU, Philippines - Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza has allowed The Cebu Yellow Submarine to resume business but asked it to be more careful with the marine resources this time.

“My administration is not against this kind of tourism product. In fact, we welcome it because it’s the first of its kind in our country,” Radaza said during the celebration of the â€œCoral Triangle Day” yesterday at barangay Mactan.

Radaza lifted the other day the suspension of the operation of Yellow Submarine after it was discovered that it caused the destruction of corals at the sea waters off Mactan.

But Radaza said she will never hesitate to swiftly use the powers of her office to preserve and protect the natural assets and underwater world against those who wish to earn a profit without caring for the environment.

The twin incidents in Tubbataha reef and the one right here in our very own municipal waters have heightened our awareness on how precious is our marine resources, Radaza said.

“This kind of threat to our marine ecology is another wake-up call to us in government tasked to protect and preserve our environment,” she said.

The mayor said that since the operation of the submarine, no ordinance has been crafted to regulate the operation of any submersible craft.

Since Lapu-Lapu city is a tourism hub, the mayor said its biggest asset is its marine resources which needs to be protected.

The Yellow Submarine was placed in a spotlight when a Japanese diver took underwater pictures in April which showed corals damaged by the submersible.

As a result, the city government issued a cease and desist order to the submarine operators.

The city also coordinated with the Coastal Conservation Education Foundation (CCEF) which investigated the allegations.

However, the management of the submarine assured the city of help in the rehabilitation and restoration  of the corals and expressed willingness to pay for the damage it had done.

The other day, city legal officer Yuri Benluan announced that the submarine can temporarily continue with its operation but its operation will be closely monitored by a representative from city hall.

“The activities of the Coral Triangle Day is timely because our marine ecology is facing imminent danger from all fronts,” Radaza said.  (FREEMAN)