MikeLigalig.com

published by the Bohol Chronicle

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) is under fire after a senator took the cudgels in demanding for public disclosure on the results of its investigations of two recent sea tragedies between the Cebu-Bohol seawater which killed three passengers and crew

Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III asked MARINA Administrator Emerson Lorenzo to immediately impose the necessary sanctions against the shipping companies involved in the sea tragedies which included the burning and sinking of "M/V Island Express I" in the seawaters off Cebu City port where two passengers and crew perished during the mid-day incident. Passengers on board the vessel from Tubigon Port said that if the incident happened at night, there could be more casualties.

The Cagayan de Oro- born senator asked the MARINA administrator to personally check the regional offices of the agency based in Cebu amid reports that some shipping companies are given "special treatment" under a highly questionable arrangement.

Senator Pimentel said he will temporarily hold the disclosure on the identity of the shipping firm which reportedly is getting favors from regional MARINA officials. The senator was informed that a shipping firm based in Cebu gets the "least sanctions" from MARINA despite several complaints from the riding public which include the frequent stoppage of its engines at mid-sea thereby causing delays in their arrivals and departures. The same shipping firm would sometimes sail even if their air-conditioning units do not function causing extreme discomfort among its passengers who are paying the fare as to be accommodated on board an air-conditioned fast sea craft.

"Needless to say, we would not wait for a more serious incident to happen," Pimentel stressed who is familiar with the vast movement people in sea travel in the Visayas and Mindanao.

"Safety of our riding public should be of paramount importance," he added while he awaits MARINA to declare on whether laws were violated during the two recent sea accidents.

Sen. Pimentel told Administrator Lorenzo that "responsible parties should be held answerable."

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