Rescuers and volunteers check the wreckage of one of the three boats that capsized on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019, in the waters between Iloilo and Guimaras provinces. (Photo courtesy of the Philippine Red Cross via AP)
ILOILO CITY, Iloilo, Philippines — The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) will allow wooden-hulled passenger motorboats going to and from Guimaras Island to install tarpaulin or canvas overhead covers but subject to regulations.
The Marina on Friday issued an advisory allowing the installation of the covers more than two months after these were barred following the tragic motorboat accidents in the Iloilo Strait on Aug. 3 wherein 31 passengers died.
The advisory — which will also cover wooden-hulled passenger motorboats in other areas — allows boat operators to put up of the covers as long as these do not exceed 50 percent of the length and 80 percent of the width of the motorboat.
The cover should also be within a maximum height of 1.8 meters and its angle of deflection should not exceed 15 degrees from the horizontal, according to the Marina advisory.
The Coast Guard and Marina ordered the removal of tarpaulin covers after three motorboats capsized after these were battered by strong winds.
The tarpaulin covers serve as a protection against the rain and heat but were seen as one of the reasons the boats capsized after being hit by strong gusts of wind.
Guimaras residents have been clamoring to allow the covers as many passengers have been continuously exposed to the rain and heat.
The Guimaras Provincial Board also passed a resolution urging the Department of Transportation, Coast Guard and Marina to allow the covers.
Guimaras Vice Gov. John Edward Gando said the Coast Guard and Marina met with operators of around 100 passenger motorboats plying the Iloilo-Guimaras route on Saturday to discuss the guidelines and its implementation.
Wooden-hulled passenger motorboats are the main transportation of Guimaras residents who mostly work and study in Iloilo.
/atm