Sunday, July 13, 2008 Suspension stays By Elias O. Baquero Sun.Star Staff Reporter
ADMINISTRATOR Vicente Suazo Jr. yesterday said he will submit next week a partial report on the inspection of Sulpicio Lines’ passenger vessels to the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) board.
This will help determine whether or not the shipping company will be allowed to operate again, but Suazo said he cannot heed the business sector’s call to end the fleet’s suspension right away.
This came as the House committee on transportation has requested the Department of National Defense, through Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, to help locate all survivors in the mv Princess of the Stars sinking.
Request
In a July 10 letter, Reps. Antonio Cuenco, Roque Ablan Jr. and Victor Francisco Ortega requested that all efforts be exerted in locating and presenting the surviving passengers and members of the crew of the mv Princess of the Stars during the inquiry.
“Their testimonies are crucial in determining the seaworthiness of the vessel at the time of the disaster. We certainly hope that you will utilize all possible resources to track down, locate and bring before the committee the survivors so that the mystery surrounding this unfortunate incident can be unraveled,” they said.
The committee began its probe on the June 21 incident last July 7.
Suazo suspended the operations of Sulpicio Lines’ passenger vessels shortly after the mv Princess of the Stars capsized in bad weather off Romblon last June 21.
Evaluation
In a press conference, Suazo said he understands the sentiments of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), which urged the Marina to lift the suspension of Sulpicio’s operations.
They said the lack of sea transport facilities delayed the movement of goods and drove up their prices.
But Suazo said they are still evaluating the report of the inspection team that went over the vessels.
Sulpicio has 14 vessels, of which two are being used in the retrieval of bodies from the Princess of the Stars. Of the over 800 persons aboard, fewer than 60 survived and a little over 200 bodies have been retrieved. Most are believed trapped inside the vessel.
Board decision
“At this point, I cannot lift the suspension order of the operation of Sulpicio Lines. I will leave that matter to the Marina board,” Suazo said.
The board is composed of Secretary Leandro Mendoza of the Department of Transportation and Communications as chairman, Suazo as vice chairman, a representative from the Office of the President, representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry and the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine Ports Authority general manager, and two private sector representatives.
Suazo also said that the Marina board will schedule an emergency meeting on the matter either tomorrow or Tuesday.
Suazo has to submit a report to the board with recommendations on what shall be done to correct any defects found on the vessels.
He also clarified that not all of Sulpicio’s operations were suspended because their cargo vessels are still sailing.
Audit
The audit of the Sulpicio vessels will take two to four days, depending on the size of the ships. To find out how prepared the crew is to handle emergencies, the audit team can also conduct exercises such as fire drills.
“I sympathize (with the business sector) but I cannot make a decision on my own. It’s up to the Marina board to do it,” Suazo said.
Marina’s hearings on the sinking of the mv Princess of the Stars are different from those of the Board of Marina Inquiry (BMI).
Marina will evaluate the whole company, especially on why its Certificate of Public Convenience should not be cancelled after the disaster, Suazo said.
On the other hand, the BMI will establish the real cause of the mishap. “Our (Marina) hearing inputs include the BMI report and the result of the audit on the Sulpicio vessels,” Suazo said.
