Alvarez says ‘floating bomb’ will be probed

Transportation Secretary Pantaleon Alvarez assured the public yesterday that the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) will investigate the liquefied gas carrier tagged as a "floating bomb" to ensure public safely.

Alvarez conducted yesterday an ocular inspection of the M/V Golden Swan which reportedly gave off foul odor last week. The vessel was then carrying ammonia from Tacloban City to Manila.

"I did not smell any foul door at the warehouse nor at theM/V Golden Swan. The complaining parties themselves have not shown up to support their allegations," he said.

Residents living near the port where the vessel was docked earlier complained to Alvarez of the foul odor coming from the ship.

But some barangay officials from Vitas, Tondo claimed that the protesters were paid by a business rival of the owner of Golden Swan to malign the firm.

The MARINA has already issued a cease-and-desist order on the vessel owner pending the probe. – Sheila Crisostomo