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2008-06-30Public U Body Says Guidelines On Sea Travel Must Be Restudied
by Lorebeth C. Requiroso/city Council OfficeLIVES of passengers must be considered above all else.
This was stressed by Councilor Alden Bacal, member of the City Council committee on public utilities, during its recent meeting upon learning that ship captains and management are given the discretion to sail even during pronouncements of bad weather.A Philippine Coast Guard representative informed the committee that during storm signal number one, big ships are allowed to sail at the discretion of the captain or ship management.The PCG said the order to allow ships to sail at their discretion was a result of the clamor of the management of shipping lines.Councilor Bacal, however, said that while economy and profit is important, nothing is as important as the lives of the people. He said this should not be compromised.The committee chaired by Councilor Ian Mark Nacaya invited representatives of Marina and the Philippine Coast Guard to hear from them on seaworthiness of ships leaving and docking in the city’s port following the tragic MV Princess of the Stars sea tragedy.The Power learned that some passengers of the ill-fated ship are coming from the city of Cagayan de Oro and the province of Misamis Oriental. It may be recalled that the committee sponsored a resolution earlier requesting the Maritime Industry Authority to inspect every ship before allowing them to leave the port. This was after another sea mishap of the same shipping company.The committee is calling for more stringent and frequent inspections of all commercial ships to ensure the lives of the passengers. (LCR)
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Kagay-an Festival 2012 Guide
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