U.S. Pays the Philippines Nearly $2 Million in Damages Over USS Guardian Grounding

The United States authorities has paid the Philippines $1.96 million in damages for the grounding of the USS Guardian on the protected Tubbataha Reef in January 2013.

The Department of Foreign Affairs within the Philippines says it acquired the total requested quantity of Php 87,033,570.71 in January as compensation for damages brought on by the grounding. The compensation shall be used for the safety and rehabilitation of the Tubbataha Reef Natural Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Department stated. Portions of the funds may also be used to boost the nation’s functionality to watch the world and forestall related accidents from occurring sooner or later, based on the Department.

The USS Guardian, an Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship, ran aground on the reef within the central Philippines on January 17, 2013, ensuing within the whole lack of the ship and intensive injury to the protected reef. The ship was finally deemed past restore and was lower up and faraway from the reef in an operation that lasted a number of months.

A U.S. Navy investigation into the grounding revealed a scarcity of management and situational consciousness, main to a few of the ship’s senior officers being relieved of obligation.

Damage to the reef has been estimated to be roughly 2,346 sq. meters.

In addition to the compensation, the Philippines says that the U.S. authorities can be offering extra help to the Philippine Coast Guard to improve the PCG Substation in Tubbataha.

(1 Philippine Peso = 0.023 US Dollar)