MANILA, Philippines—Grieving relatives of the dead and missing passengers as well as survivors of the capsized MV Princess of the Stars will get a memorial on Sibuyan Island near where the ferry capsized during a typhoon on June 21.

Lt. Cmdr. Armand Balilo, spokesperson of the Philippine Coast Guard, said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had directed the PCG to draft plans for the memorial—either a lighthouse or bouy markers—in memory of victims of the ferry disaster.

Balilo said the names of the victims would be inscribed on the memorial and their relatives would be invited at its unveiling to be held by the time the 23,400-ton vessel is salvaged, possibly in two months.

“This is for the families, to help them remember and cope,” he said.

He said the President’s instruction was relayed to Vice Adm. Wilfredo Tamayo, the PCG commandant.

If a lighthouse is built, Balilo said it would also serve fishermen and passing vessels and could even prevent another tragedy. “It symbolizes hope,” he said.

Of the ferry’s more than 860 passengers and crew, only 56 survived. Leila B. Salaverria