Coast Guard flexes muscles

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard the other day defended its move to oblige operators of Metro Ferry to submit passenger manifests before the boats are allowed to sail.

Metro Ferry operates boats that cross the Mactan Channel carrying passengers from Muelle Osmeña in barangay Poblacion in Lapu-Lapu City to Pier 3 in Cebu City and vice versa.

Commodore Cecil Chin of the Philippine Coast Guard-Eastern Visayas told reporters during a press conference at Mactan airport that ferry boat owners plying Lapu-Lapu City-Cebu City route has failed to heed this rule for several years now.

Chin said the manifest helps the Coast Guard identify passengers in cases of accidents.

The usual practice allowed passengers to get on board after paying for tickets and now some passengers resent writing down their names on the manifest, Chin said. – (FREEMAN)