MARINA urged to hasten assessment of SLI vessels

CEBU, Philippines -The Cebu City Council has urged the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to expedite the assessment of the passenger vessels of Sulpicio Lines Incorporated (SLI).

In yesterday’s regular session, Councilor Eduardo Rama Jr, chair of the council committee on labor and employment head, commented on the letter recently sent by the Associated Labor Union-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) to the council.

ALU-TUCP wrote on behalf of the workers who had been out of work after MARINA suspended the operations of SLI’s passenger vessels following the sinking of the MV Princess of the Stars.

Rama said the most the city government can do is to request MARINA to expedite its assessment on the seaworthiness of the remaining SLI vessels.

“If all the requirements needed to establish its seaworthiness are duly complied with by the said company, it would be now on the part of MARINA to allow the vessels of SLI to resume its operations,” according to the committee report.

Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal had asked President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, during her visit to Cebu last week, to do something on the looming laying off of SLI workers because of the non-operations of its eight passenger vessels.

The cardinal is worried that another round of lay off will happen if the passenger vessels were not allowed to sail again.

But Arroyo told the prelate that SLI had not yet satisfactorily complied with the safety requirements.

Since the sinking of the Stars in June, SLI laid off at least 160 workers after MARINA suspended the operations of its passenger vessels. — Ferliza C. Contratista/LPM (THE FREEMAN)