THE Province of Guimaras offered a mass of commemoration for the casualties and survivors Saturday, August 10, at Jordan Wharf in Guimaras Island.
The time of the mass coincides with the time of the incidents and a ceremonial flower-laying to the waters was done together with the families of the casualties and survivors.
Last Saturday, August 3, Donna Magno, Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction Management officer, said around 12:15 p.m., M/V Chi-Chi, with 47 people onboard, and M/V Keziah, with four crew members, left Parola Wharf in Iloilo City for Jordan town despite the bad weather condition.
The two boats capsized due to strong winds brought by the low pressure area and enhanced by the Southwest Monsoon, leaving 10 people dead.
The Philippine Coast Guard canceled the Iloilo-Guimaras and vice versa trips at 12:15 p.m. following the incident, according to the report of the joint Iloilo City-Guimaras Incident Command Post.
However, around 3:30 p.m., another boat, M/V Jenny Vince, with 34 passengers and four crew members, left Guimaras and capsized. One was reported dead, while several others went missing.
Governor Samuel Gumarin shared his message of comfort to the families of the casualties and survivors.
Volunteer groups, community associations and private persons were facilitated to provide their donation. (PR)