A ship-breaking activity in Punta Engaño, City of Lapu-Lapu, Cebu may take a temporary stoppage after violations in dismantling procedures have allegedly caused widespread skin irritation to about 100 residents in the area.

Sanitary inspectors of the Lapu-Lapu City Health Office recommended a temporary stoppage to the demolition works done on "MV Diamond Highway," a car carrier that ran aground in the area at the onslaught of Super Typhoon “Odette” in 2021 and that which caught fire on April 28, 2023.

According to Ferdinand Tepait, supervising environmental management specialist of the Lapu-Lapu City Health Office, the company that performed the ship-breaking works failed to present a layout of its salvaging plan to the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, City Health Office, and to Barangay Punta Engaño.

The company further failed to implement the proper procedures in ship-cracking such as the mounting of dust collectors and other equipment to prevent the residue from being blown by the wind to neighboring residences.

Earlier, residents complained of persistent skin itchiness that resulted in skin eruptions and rashes which they believed were caused by dust from the ship-breaking yard.

Skin irritation, despite topical medications, has persevered with the recent  gustiness of winds brought about by the prevailing weather system - the Northeast Monsoon or "Amihan." Dust from ship-cracking, known to hold toxic chemicals, is believed to have had an impact on both the quality of air and seawater where the vessel is beached.

CENRO Lapu-Lapu chief Emiliano Bonghanoy and Punta Engaño Barangay Chairman Esse Estardo determined that the skin irritation is most likely caused by the ship-breaking activity. 

As of this writing, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan has not issued a statement yet on the concern.

GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak also sought comment from the ship-breaking company's operations manager Arnil Villaganas, but he pointed out the company lawyer will soon issue a statement.