Press Release
September 8, 2009

SENATE TO REVIEW GOV'T CAPABILITIES ON SEA ACCIDENTS

Senate Public Services Committee Chairman Bong Revilla today pushed for a review of the government's capabilities to maritime accidents, in the wake of sinking of two sea vessels in the Philippine territory.

Revilla filed a resolution to formally direct the appropriate Senate committees to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the sinking of the Aboitiz Transport System's Superferry 9 and Panamanian-registered cargo vessel M/V Hera. "I believe we badly need this inquiry to determine the reforms that we should do for our maritime industry. Let's see if we need to strengthen our maritime safety regulations or if it is just a matter of serious implementation," he said.

The lawmaker stressed that the inquiry should particularly look at the issue of overloading of passenger sea vessels. He noted that maritime accidents brought about overloaded boats are not uncommon in the country where boats and other sea vessels are the only means of cheap inter-island transport.

Revilla pointed out that ignoring the danger of overloading is tantamount to tolerating the sailing of a floating coffin.

"Usually, we learn that a boat is overloaded when it already capsized. Once and for all, we must get rid of this greedy, risky scheme of sea transport companies. We must learn from the past," he explained.

Revilla said the Senate must also look into the capability of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to determine the seaworthiness of vessels prior to its departure from its port of origin. "Everytime the MARINA gives a clearance for a ship to sail, it warrants that the ship is safe and seaworthy. It is absurd that sea accidents still happen despite this," he said.

The senator said that the Senate probe should also review the capabilities of other concerned government agencies, such the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Navy, to respond in Maritime incidents. "We will hear their views regarding their experience in responding to sea accidents so we, the legislator, will know what measures we must push so that they can improve further their response capabilities," Revilla added.

According to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the Philippines is the fourth most accident prone country in the world and this includes sea accidents. Among the most frequently mentioned causes of the sea accidents were overloading of the ship, aging facilities, badly trained crewmembers, and poor compliance by the vessels with safety precautions and measures. Last June 21 2008, MV Princess of the Stars capsized in the Sibuyan Sea at the height of typhoon "Frank's" fury, leaving more than 800 dead. The country's--and the world's--worst peacetime sea disaster was the collision of the MV Doña Paz with MT Vector in Tablas Strait on Dec. 20, 1987 in which more than 4,000 people died.

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