Romblon mayor worried over delays in salvaging ‘Princess’

MANILA, Philippines - The mayor of San Fernando town in Romblon province voiced concern Monday over the delay in the signing of a contract for the salvaging of the capsized MV Princess of the Stars. Radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported that San Fernando Mayor Nanette Tansingco was dismayed over the failure of Sulpicio Lines Inc. and Titan Salvage to sign the deal last week. Tansingco said the delay raises the possibility of the salvage operations being delayed to the second week of August at the earliest. According to Tansingco, it has been a month since fishermen in her town had been suffering from the effects of a fishing ban imposed in the town due to the threat of endosulfan. Health officials ordered the fishing ban after learning the capsized ship contained a cargo of endosulfan, a toxic pesticide used in pineapple plantations. While fishermen in the town decided Sunday to resume fishing, the Coast Guard advised them to keep a five-kilometer distance from the capsized vessel. - GMANews.TV