SCORES of residents of a coastal community in Lapu-Lapu City have complained of skin rashes, itchy throat and cough. They blame it on a big shipbreaking operation near the area. After an inspection, city hall officials reached the same conclusion and on January 31 issued a cease and desist order to the company behind the dismantling of the MV Diamond Highway.

The 199-meter-long ship was anchored in the waters off Tayud, Consolacion, but was unmoored during the onslaught of Typhoon Odette on Dec. 16, 2021. It drifted toward Mactan Island, where it ran aground in the shallow waters off Barangay Punta Engaño. The barangay is located at the tip of Mactan, across the waters from Consolacion in the Cebu mainland. Punta Engaño and the adjacent barangay are home to some of Lapu-Lapu City's many famous beach resorts.