Cayetano urges gov’t agencies to ensure travelers’ safety following Basilan ferry fire

FILE PHOTO: Senator Alan Peter Cayetano dduring a hybrid hearing on Thursday, September 8, 2022. (Voltaire F. Domingo / Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — Government agencies should make sure of the safety and security of travelers this Holy Week, following the deadly ferry fire in Basilan.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano made this call as he emphasized that transport and safety rules and regulations should be strictly enforced.

“Ako’y nakikiusap sa lahat ng kawani ng gobyerno: obligasyon po natin to keep people safe,” he said in a statement released on Tuesday.

(I am appealing to all government personnel: it is our obligation to keep people safe.)

READ: PCG: Search operations continue for 7 missing passengers in Basilan ferry blaze  

Cayetano did not mention any particular agency, but he said that any vehicle – train, bus, car, or truck – found unfit to travel during inspections should not be allowed to proceed.

“‘Pag tiningnan natin ‘yung train, baka takot lang tayong ma-media na hindi pinaandar ‘yung tren na ‘yun pero delikado naman pala,” he said.

(When we look at the train, maybe we are just afraid of the media that the train was not allowed to travel, but it’s dangerous.)

Cayetano stressed that tragedies are not new to the country, pointing to past events like fires and earthquakes. He even noted that there have been cases of sea vessels sinking or burning resulting in death of people due to negligence.

READ: What Went Before: MV Princess of the Stars

While shortcuts on safety can save the transport industry money, it is not worth it, according to the senator.

“May kikitain po talaga sa transportation, pero kung ikaw naman ay magiging parte ng isang malaking trahedya, hindi matutumbasan ‘yan ng kahit anong pera,” he said.

(There is really money to be made in transportation, but if you will be part of a big tragedy, no amount of money can match that.)

Fire hit M/V Lady Mary Joy 3 off Basilan on March 29, claiming the lives of at least 29 people.

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