DESPITE a series of reminders, the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina)-Davao observed that there are still motorists who do not disembark from their vehicles when traveling from Davao to Samal and vice versa via roll-on-roll-off (Roro) vessel.
Lawyer Sharon Grace Sanoy of Marina-Davao said during the AFP-PNP press forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel Wednesday, June 5, some motorists are still resistant to this policy and preferred to stay in their vehicle during the 10-minute trip.
“Dapat bumaba ang mga pasahero. We’ve been asking the management of Mae Wess DavSam to require the passengers to disembark from their vehicles kung sasakay sila ng Roro. Ilang beses na naming sinubukan pero unfortunately talaga, there are some passengers na medyo matigas talaga ang ulo. Don sa mga pasahero na pupunta sa mag cross ng Samal, pwede lang po sama kung magsakay kayo ng Roro at nandoon kayo sa sasakyan, baba kayo at aakyat kayo sa passenger waiting area,” Sanoy said.
The proper protocol should be that the passengers, including the driver who is inside their vehicle must go out from their vehicles as soon as the vessel leaves port and proceed to the passenger accommodation in the upper deck for their safety where life jacket and safety gears are prepared.
“Primarily we asked passengers na magbaba for their safety din kasi, yes, sea worthy ‘yong vessel pero hindi natin maiwasan minsan biglang aksidente. Kung nasa baba kayo, nasa loob ng sasakyan, kung magkaroon ng accident, mahirap makalabas sa sasakyan. That’s why we request na ‘yong passengers umakyat sa passenger area sa taas ‘yon lang talaga maraming matigas ang ulo,” she added.
Since they cannot penalize stubborn passengers, what they could only do is to request them to follow the proper system.
“Ilang beses na kaming nakipa-usap sa Coast Guard lalo na ‘yong pinaguusapan anong gagawin sa mga tao na ayaw bumababa, pero hindi naman pwede physically tanggalin sa sasakyan nila,” she added. (JCR)