Ship owners eye maritime holiday

CEBU, Philippines - The 32 members of the Visayan Association of Ferryboat and Coastwise Service Operators (VAFCSO) are calling for the resignation of Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) administrator Elena Bautista for allegedly issuing unreasonable maritime policies.

VAFCSO board member Jose Emery Roble, who is the president and chief exe-cutive officer of Roble Shipping Inc., said Bautista’s resignation is not only the call of their organization, but also that of maritime organizations from other parts of the country.

VAFCSO together with other maritime players will be holding a press conference on February 18 in Manila as they will formally announce a nationwide strike or maritime holiday on March 1 to dramatize their protest.

VAFCSO members include Cokaliong Shipping Lines, Inc., Trans-Asia Shipping Lines, Roble Shipping Inc., Lite Shipping, and Jadestar Shipping, among others.

VAFCSO members have a total of more than 200 vessels combined plying different routes in the country.

On the other hand, the Aboitiz Transport Services Corporation and its subsidiaries will not participate in this protest action.

“We understand that some ship owners and operators would like to hold a nationwide strike as a show of protest against the policies and leadershipof Marina administrator Elena Bautista. We believe the issues raised are best resolved through dialogue among the parties involved,” ATSC said in a press statement sent to The Freeman.

ATSC, which is headed by Jon Ramon Aboitiz, added that they intend to stay true to their business model of offering their customers quality service of the highest standards.

“We will not get involved in any activity that may detract us from our business model,” the statement further said.

ATSC and its subsidiaries are primarily engaged in the business of operating steamships, motorboats and other kinds of watercrafts; operating flight equipment and trucks; and acting as agent for domestic and foreign shipping companies for purposes of transportation of cargoes and passengers by air, land and sea within the waters and territorial jurisdiction of the Philippines.

Roble earlier said the “maritime holiday” will serve as a strong signal against some unreasonable policies of Bautista.

Roble said that among the policies they oppose is the mandatory requirement for them to secure an exorbitant insurance policy and the requirement for US-made life vests in all vessels.

VAFCSO legal counsel Dexter Viñan said that they would enumerate the policies that they are opposed to during their press conference.

The Freeman also tried to contact Bautista for comment, but she was not available as of press time.

Chester Cokaliong, former President of VAFCSO said over radio station dySS Super Radyo that they wanted former Marina administrator Oscar Sevilla, who is now the General Manager of Phil. Ports Authority (PPA), back to his old post.

 Aside from Sevilla, Augustine Vinzon, Rear Admiral Pio Garrido, former Marina Deputy Administrator Atty. Gloria Bañas and Transportation and Communications Undersecretary Thomas Lantion are also acceptable for VAFCSO members to hold the said position.

 Cokaliong stressed that Bautista does not have any background regarding the “maritime” industry, which makes it appropriate that she be relieved and replaced by a qualified person.

 The VAFCSO members are, however, open to a dialogue to resolve the matter so they need not stage the “maritime holiday.”

 Cokaliong also said that President Gloria Arroyo should intervene in this matter.

 VAFCSO members will also no longer attend any dialogue with Bautista. – with Johanna T. Natavio/NLQ   (FREEMAN NEWS)