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Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Speak out: Delayed trip
By Bernard aragon balinas
Bacolod City
(This letter, signed by 349 people, is addressed to Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza)
We wish to complain against the Negros Navigation Co. Inc. (Nenaco).
Last Jan. 2, about 2,000 passengers, including ourselves, were booked for the trip from Ilo-ilo and Bacolod to Manila M/V St. Eziquiel Moreno (SEM). The vessel was supposed to depart at 11 a.m. on Jan. 2 and was scheduled to arrive in Bacolod two hours later.
The same vessel was supposed to depart for Manila at 3 p.m. the same day. It was expected to arrive in Manila around 11 a.m. the next day, Jan. 3.
Due to reasons unknown to us, the SEM, according to Nenaco employees, was not allowed to leave the dry dock. As such, the vessel M/V Mary, Queen of Peace was to be used instead.
According to accounts from passengers originating from Ilo-ilo, the M/V Mary, Queen of Peace arrived in that city’s port at 12:30 p.m. The ship left for Bacolod at 2:30 p.m. instead of 11 a.m.
Another dock
Meanwhile, most of us, passengers from Bacolod, were already at the Banago Wharf before 12:30 p.m. To our surprise, we were advised that the ship would not be able to dock there.
We were told to proceed instead to the Bredco Port at the reclamation area (in Bacolod) where the vessel would dock. We were also informed that the expected time of departure from Bacolod has been moved from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Nenaco employees averred that they had texted the passengers. But most of us were not able to receive such message. Neither were the changes aired over TV or radio.
At the Bredco Port, passengers were stationed at a pre-departure area, which was not only dirty but also lacked seats, lights, toilets and other amenities.
As the amended departure time drew nearer, passengers were informed that “the ship would soon be arriving and would immediately leave within one hour of arrival.”
Past 6:30 p.m., we were advised that the ship would arrive by 8 p.m. and depart by 9 p.m., instead. We asked for an explanation of the delay and Nenaco employees informed us that since it was low tide, the vessel would not be able to dock as it was much bigger than other ships.
11-hour delay
Finally, the ship docked at the Bredco Port past 9:45 p.m., after over seven hours from the time it left Ilo-ilo, a trip that normally took two hours at most.
While waiting for embarkation, we were informed by Grace Golez, a Nenaco official, that the ship would leave by 11 p.m. But for reasons unknown to us, at first, the ship left Bredco Port at 2 a.m. on Jan. 3. It was delayed by 11 hours!
Now, for the interesting part. According to Ilo-ilo passengers, the ship stopped moving halfway to Bacolod. They were then informed that the ship was experiencing “minor engine trouble.” Which meant that Nenaco already knew as early as 4 p.m. that a substantial delay was in the making.
Now, why would they inform the passengers that the vessel cannot dock at the Bredco because it was low tide?
We were also informed that it is one of the faster Nenaco ships and can travel between Bacolod and Manila for only 19 hours.
But we were notified later that the expected time of arrival in Manila is 2 a.m. on Jan. 4! That’s 24 hours of travel!
Engine trouble
In addition, why was the vessel allowed to leave Ilo-ilo and proceed to Bacolod if Nenaco officials already knew that it was experiencing engine trouble? Why was it ever allowed to leave Bacolod? Why were we not properly informed?
There seem to be a misrepresentation on the part of Nenaco. They deprived us, passengers, of the right to choose alternative transportation. They had misled us into thinking that we can get to Manila in time for our appointments the next day.
Many passengers missed their appointments while some had to be absent from work or school. Some went hungry but were not able to buy food because they did not have extra money.
True, Nenaco provided free meals to the passengers. But the damage has already been done.
Dreadful state
Apart from the delay, the ship was in dreadful state: The air-conditioning system was not functioning properly; the toilets were very dirty and the drains clogged; and the food was totally unappealing.
The ship was traveling at a speed of 15.7 knots (as explained by Captain Balagosa), instead of 19 knots. It was also tilted approximately 10 to 15 degrees toward the starboard side.
Most passengers were alarmed by the condition of the ship. Obviously, the ship was not in good running condition.
The captain, together with Nenaco assistant vice president Angelito Salvio, denied this and instead pointed out that the tilting of the ship was due to the wind.
Seamen-passengers debunked this assertion, saying that only one engine was functioning, which explains the tilting of the ship and why we were running at only 15 knots.
Mr. Secretary, we are appealing to you to conduct the necessary, honest and objective investigation to determine appropriate sanctions against this company.
We cannot allow this company to continue operating at the expense of its passengers.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (January 17, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
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