Marina to shipping line: Explain reported overloading
Philippine Coast Guard personnel guard a seaport terminal in Manila. The Maritime Industry Authority has ordered a shipping line to explain the alleged overloading of passengers during an April 13 trip from Batangas to Romblon. — Inquirer file photo
MANILA, Philippines — The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) has issued a show-cause order against a shipping line, asking it to explain the alleged overloading of passengers during an April 13 trip from Batangas to Romblon, according to Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon.
Fortunately, Dizon said the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) was able to flag the ship before its supposed departure from Batangas for Romblon.
READ: Marina to issue show-cause orders vs 4 non-compliant maritime schools
“Nag-padala na rin ng show-cause order ang Marina against Montenegro Shipping Lines dun sa ruta niyang Batangas to Romblon,” the Department of Transportation chief further revealed in an ambush interview on Holy Tuesday.
(The Marina issued and sent a show-cause order against Montenegro Shipping Lines for its route from Batangas to Romblon.)
“So sana seryosohin tayo nitong mga bus company and shipping lines […] Hindi po tayo nagbibiro dito pag sinasabi natin tayo ay magpapababa ng show-cause, tayo ay magsususpindi,” he added.
(I hope these bus companies and shipping lines take us seriously… We are not joking if we say we will issue show cause orders and implement suspensions.)
Montenegro Shipping Lines Inc. refuted this claim, saying that there were no instances of overloading during the trip.
“We would like to inform you that all passengers who boarded our Batangas-Odiongan trip on April 13, 2025, were ticketed passengers. We confirm that no ticketed passengers were left behind and there were no instances of overloading during the trip,” said in a statement also issued on Tuesday.
“Additionally, for the comfort of passengers scheduled for future trips, ticket issuance has been provided for those traveling on later dates. Specifically, tickets dated April 14, 2025, were issued to relevant passengers, allowing them access to the passenger terminal area,” it added.
