PCG vessel carrying relief goods forced to dock

MANILA, Philippines - A Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel that was supposed to bring relief goods to storm-damaged Cagayan de Oro was forced to dock at the Batangas port because of mechanical problems.

PCG spokesman Lieutenant Commander Algier Ricafrente said the BRP Pampanga left PCG headquarters in Manila on the morning of Dec. 24 and by evening, when it was already in Mindoro, a problem in the fuel system was discovered. The ship docked for repairs the next day.

The vessel was carrying 1,840 boxes of multivitamins, canned goods, noodles, blankets, assorted clothes, detergent bars, and biscuits. Also onboard were 122 sacks of rice, 545 sacks of assorted clothes, 32 sacks of sleeping mats, 18 sacks of plates, 50 boxes of spoons and 50 boxes of forks.

Had the vessel not encountered any problem, it would have arrived at Cagayan de Oro last Dec. 26.

If the repair of the ship will take more than two days, the PCG may transfer the cargo to the training ship Spirit of MOL which is scheduled to depart on Dec. 29.

The PCG estimated that transporting the relief goods using a government ship will still be faster than going by commercial ship, which takes five days against only 39 hours on a government vessel.