CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Tomas Osmeña will bring up to Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo the sentiments of shipowners in Cebu over the alleged unreasonable maritime policies being implemented by Maritine Industry Authority Administrator Elena Bautista.
Arroyo is attending the celebration of the city’s charter anniversary today.
Osmeña said the shipowners visited him yesterday to seek for his help and the fastest action he can take is to bring the matter up to the president.
“They came here kay nagkaproblema sila sa administrator sa Marina. Galisod kuno sila tungod aning mga retroactive na mga requirements like technical requirements sa life vest and daghan pang similar to that. They said the new policies are unreasonable, very expensive to comply with,” Osmeña said.
He said the city will study the concerns raised by the shipowners and see what it can do to help them.
The mayor said he does not want to judge Bautista, but since her leadership is being questioned by many of shipowners, he tends to believe something is not right.
“If you cannot provide leadership, if you cannot even convince shipping operators, then that means something is wrong,” Osmeña said, adding, that is not worried a planned strike will hurt the city’s economy.
“I told them, if they want to go on strike, no problem with me. I’ll even thank them for announcing it ahead of time. Kung usa ka adlaw ra, di man na problema ba,” Osmeña said.
Meanwhile, City Councilor Jack Jakosalem, chairman of the City Council Committee on Transportation and Communications, said he already asked the shipowners to submit a position paper that the Councilors can study to make an official stand on the issues in question.
The shipowners have complained of the requirements of Marina on the life vests; survival insurance of P50,000 per survivor incase of marine tragedy; death benefits to families plus the environmental impact insurance in case there are oil spills and other incidents that would impact the environment. – Jessica Ann R. Pareja/JMO (FREEMAN NEWS)