The Department of Transportation and Communications has grounded the fleet of Island Express Shipping, the company that owns the Cebu-bound passenger fast ferry from Bohol that caught fire Sunday, killing two passengers and a crew member.
In a statement on Monday, DOTC Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II said he ordered the Maritime Industry Authority (MIA) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to ensure that the shipping company’s owners provide survivors and victims’ families the assistance they need.
“At this point, public safety is our primordial concern. I will not allow shipping companies to take chances with the lives of the passengers,” Roxas said.
“DOTC will ensure that whenever a passenger steps on a ship, he can be certain that ship will have passed all the stringent requirements for safety,” he added. Island Express Shipping owns a total of eight sea vessels.
He said he instructed the PCG to convene the Board of Marine Inquiry and to subject the owners and operators of Island Express Shipping to a thorough investigation to determine whether the shipping company or its crew was at fault.
Reports from the MIA and PCG said MV Island Express was on its way to Cebu from Tubigon, Bohol at around noon 4.5 nautical miles southeast of Lawis ledge Cebu City when the vessel caught fire.
Initial reports also said that allegedly, electrical wirings from the engine room caused the fire. Out of 75 persons in the manifest, a total of 72 were rescued and three were confirmed dead. The survivors were brought to Tubigon hospital for treatment.
The names of the casualties are Mrs. Matea P. Infiesto, 62, and Nicetas N. Cabrera, 73, both female passengers from Lagsing, Bacani, Clarin town, Bohol and chief mate Abelardo C. Torrevillas Sr., 57, from Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
Roxas also tasked the PCG to continue monitoring the situation for other damage and possible oil spill.
“Our job is to protect the safety of the public not to balance contending interests. The shipping companies have officers, lawyers, accountants and others; they can take care of themselves,” Roxas said.
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Source: Philippines Government, August 23, 2011.