A CERTIFICATE of no Objection from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) 7 is the only remaining requirement before the temporary suspension of shipbreaking operations of the MV Diamond Highway, a grounded car carrier in Barangay Punta Engaño, Lapu-Lapu City, can be lifted.
City Legal Officer James Allan Sayson told reporters that the City Government is awaiting the formal no-objection statements from Marina 7 and the Coast Guard, following a request made by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro).
The shipbreaking operation was halted on January 1, 2024, after former Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan issued a cease-and-desist order (CDO) following health complaints from nearby residents, including reports of skin rashes, respiratory problems, and throat irritation.
The MV Diamond Highway, which ran aground during Super Typhoon Odette in December 2021 and later caught fire in April 2023 during dismantling work, has been a source of environmental and public health concerns.
The City Legal Office has already informed the vessel’s operators of the “no objection” requirement.
According to Sayson, the clearance process follows recommendations from both the City Health Office (CHO) and the Cenro, after sanitary inspectors flagged several procedural violations during the initial dismantling process.
Hazards, violations
Around 100 residents from Sitios Proper Jansen, Lupa, Colo, and Mangal had reported various health issues allegedly caused by fiber dust and airborne pollutants from the shipbreaking site.
Conditions reportedly worsened during the Amihan season, as winds carried hazardous particles into residential areas.
Health inspectors recommended the suspension after the shipbreaking company failed to provide a salvaging plan to Cenro, CHO, and barangay officials.
The company also reportedly failed to install dust collectors or other protective measures at the site.
These issues prompted the issuance of the CDO which stopped further dismantling until compliance with environmental and health safety regulations could be confirmed.
Clearance
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has since issued a clearance allowing the shipbreaking to resume without a formal foreshore lease agreement, provided the MV Diamond Highway pays a monthly rental.
The site in Punta Engaño has been under lease since March 2025, with the permit valid until March 2026.
Sayson announced plans to meet with the Coast Guard and Marina 7 on the fourth week of August to address any potential objections to continuing the shipbreaking operations.
He said City officials expressed their intention to remove the vessel before the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in 2026. / DPC