Tuesday, June 24, 2008 Nograles wants Sulpicio's license revoked
HOUSE Speaker Prospero C. Nograles pushed Monday the revocation of franchise and licenses of Sulpicio Lines and any shipping company that have had a history of disasters.
Nograles also urged the government to sack public officials whose negligence has led to the loss of hundreds of lives.
"This sea tragedy should not have happened if proper precautions and rules were followed. It's time to cancel franchises or permits and throw the book at those responsible," Nograles said.
Nograles's view came as search and rescue operations continue for hundreds of passengers of the sunken m/v Princess of the Stars of the Sulpicio Lines.
The Dabawenyo Speaker also called for a review of the country's maritime laws and regulations to prevent what seems to be an annual tragic mourning for sea-faring Filipinos.
"These tragedies can be avoided," he said, as he urged sea travelers to think twice before embarking on a voyage during the rainy season.
Nograles said that one policy, which should be adopted is the automatic suspension of sea travels at the slightest hint of a brewing storm and the Philippine Coast Guard (PSG) should be more judicious in giving voyage clearances to sea vessels.
He said the PCG, the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), and the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) are duty bound to oversee the safety of our shipping industry.
"They ought to have records of sea worthiness of vessels, especially records on regulations compliance by shipping companies who appear to have the penchant of violating simple but vital rules governing sea transport," Nograles said as he questioned why Sulpicio Lines, which has the worst sea safety record in the Philippines, is still being allowed to operate.
The sinking of the m/v Princess of the Stars off Sibuyan Island is the 4th maritime disaster involving vessels owned by Sulpicio Lines.
The shipping company's m/v Dona Paz also sunk after colliding with an oil tanker at Tablas Strait on December 20, 1987. Official death toll of Dona Paz was 1,565 although it is believed that as many as 4,341 died in that ship sinking, considered as the world's worst peacetime maritime disaster.
In explaining their silence Monday with regard to the sinking, the Sulpicio Lines spokesperson said they have opted not to issue statements earlier as they were still verifying reports.
"It's hard to issue statements that are not verified," the spokesperson said.
Sulpicio Lines said their people have been talking to the families of the passengers and crew of the ill-fated vessel.
Debriefing and distressing seminars have been given and they have also been explaining to the families the activities and actions Sulpicio has been doing to rescue the passengers and crew.
Sulpicio Lines explained that the captain, who has jurisdiction over the ship, has not received a bulletin advising them of the latest update on the typhoon before the ship left the port of Manila.
The ship, which was on a 20-22 hour trip from Manila, was five hours away from its destination in Cebu.
Of the 751 passengers and crew, 81 were minors.
Sulpicio Lines purchased the mv Princess of the Stars on May 2001 in Japan. Out of the company's combined 11 cargo and passenger vessels, the mv Princess of the Stars was the largest. It was also the largest in the domestic shipping industry. (BOT/With Sunnex)
