Instead of Manila Marina investigation into collision in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - Upon the request of Gov. Hilario Davide III, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) is set to conduct tomorrow in Cebu instead of Manila, the initial hearing of the collision incident between a passenger and a cargo vessel.

In its order dated August 17, 2013 MARINA earlier set the initial hearing of the case tomorrow in Manila against the ill-fated MV St. Thomas Aquinas and Sulpicio Express Siete but MARINA received a letter from Davide on August 23, 2013 requesting that the hearing be conducted in Cebu.

“The Authority finds merit to the request,” said Atty. Gloria Victoria-Bañas, MARINA Deputy Administrator for Operation in an order dated August 23, 2013.

The hearing will be conducted at the MARINA 7 regional office at the North Reclamation Area, Cebu City at 10:00 in the morning tomorrow.

Davide received a copy of the order during a command conference yesterday.

During the conference, Dr. Michael O’Brien of the International Tankers Oil Pollution Federation commissioned by 2GO shipping management gave an overview of his assessment on the oil spill based on their survey.

O’Brien did not consider the incident a catastrophe as it did not involve a fuel tanker but a ferry boat.

He said mangroves in Cordova town are not endangered because oil spills will just be washed out soon.

The 2GO management also reported that it hired 140 fishermen from Cordova’s seven barangays in the town to help clean up the oil spill at P200 per day. P150 of which is in goods while P50 in cash.

The management of Sulpicio also provided 200 sacks of rice for the affected fisherfolk.

Philippine Coast Guard Central Visayas Commander Commodore William Melad reported that the search, rescue and retrieval operations were temporarily suspended as of yesterday due to bad weather conditions.

Melad also updated during the conference that the total number of passengers and crew rescued are 733, six are still unaccounted for, 51 are still missing, and 80 casualties.

Melad clarified that there is no demarcation of operation following the request of some families and relatives of the passengers not to stop the rescue operations.

“It doesn’t change anything as far as operation is concerned,” Melad said.

Some families are still hoping that their loved ones are still alive.

The Central Command troops are also on standby in coordination with the PCG for the ongoing operation with one helicopter on standby. —/MIT (FREEMAN)