Fatal Basilan ferry fire prompts call for probe into enforcement of sea travel rules

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva. Senate PRIB file photo

MANILA, Philippines — The passenger ferry that caught fire in the waters off Basilan and killed dozens of people has prompted Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva to seek an inquiry into how agencies enforce sea travel rules in the country.

Villanueva on Friday called on authorities to continue their search and rescue efforts for the missing passengers of the ill-fated vessel Lady Mary Joy 3.

But he said the disaster could have been “preventable had everyone – ship owner, crew, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) – been diligent in ensuring safe voyage and value the life of passengers onboard.”

READ: Floating inferno: Dozens dead, missing in ferry fire 

“The MV Lady Mary Joy 3 tragedy brings back memories of neglect and problems [with] corruption in the enforcement of safety of seagoing vessels and where passengers ships [or] vessels serve practically as floating coffins because of their lack of safety,” Villanueva said in a statement.

The legislator lamented the seeming regression of the country when it comes to ensuring maritime safety.

“Thus, we will file a [Senate] resolution to look into how the concerned agencies, especially the Marina and PCG, are strictly enforcing rules on seaworthiness, safety requirements, and manning compliance of the vessel,” he said.

Villanueva said the inquiry would also examine how the Department of Labor and Employment guarantees adherence to the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Standards Act, mainly the frequency of OSH inspections and checks on standard labor compliance of domestic shipping vessels.

‘No-nonsense probe’

Senator Jinggoy Estrada said he believes concerned agencies, especially the Marina, should stay on top of conducting a “no-nonsense probe” into the latest maritime catastrophe.

“Likewise, we expect Marina to be on guard in securing the seaworthiness of passengers as well as cargo vessels,” he said in a separate statement.

Estrada further pressed that the incident – as well as the massive Oriental Mindoro oil spill caused by the recent sinking of motor tanker Princess Empress – “serve as a wake-up call to the concerned authorities in coming up with needed mechanisms to prevent the recurrence of sea accidents.”

READ: Oriental Mindoro oil spill affects nearly 173,000 people — NDRRMC 

“A Senate probe need not be conducted. What the public immediately needs is assurance of…their safety from those tasked to oversee the operations of those in maritime transport,” he added.

Senator Grace Poe had earlier renewed the push for an independent transport safety board to “conduct thorough and truthful investigations and provide corresponding recommendations” because of the fatal Basilan passenger ferry fire.

JPV/abc