Luistro visits wake of teachers

Education Secretary Armin Luistro on Sunday visited the wake of two Department of Education (DepEd) officials in Romblon and  other injured teachers after their motorized boat sank in the waters off the island-province in the aftermath of Tropical Storm “Ofel.”

“The mere purpose of his visit was to condole [with the victims’ families] and visit those still confined in the hospital. He had just been in Romblon a week ago and then this happened,” said DepEd communications director Tina Ganzon.

Luistro went to the wake of DepEd-Romblon schools superintendent Eve Fajutag, 66, and administrative officer Grace Mallorca, 55; and visited five other teachers who remained at the Romblon district hospital. He left at around 2 pm.

“He was here to give moral support to the victims. We also gave him updates about the search-and-rescue operation,” said Romblon Coast Guard station commander Lt. Geoffrey Espaldon.

DepEd-Romblon clerk Anna Adarlo remained missing as of Sunday. Espaldon said they refused to call off their operations “in hope of still finding her alive.”

The more than 60-seater El Padre motorized banca sank in the vicinity of Puyo in Calatrava Island at around noon on Friday, according to the Coast Guard.

The vessel carried nine crew members and 55 passengers, among them, DepEd officials and teachers, who rented the passenger boat to hold a management committee meeting and at the same time to celebrate Fajutag’s wedding anniversary in Simara Island. They were on their way back to Romblon, Romblon, about an hour and half by boat ride, when their boat sank.

Rescuers located the victims, floating in the water with their life vests on, at around

2 p.m. Except for Adarlo, all passengers and crew were brought back to Romblon Island but Fajutag and Mallora died in the hospital.

The five other victims suffered injuries and minor burns due to the diesel that spread in the water when the boat capsized.

Espaldon said they could not retrieve the boat as it sank 200 meters below the sea. Initial investigation revealed that the boat’s bottom was punctured after it accidentally hit floating logs, he said.

Espaldon said the storm signal was already lifted when the boat left for Simara Island but the waves were still strong at that time.

Ganzon said DepEd had offered financial assistance to the teachers who died in the mishap. Maricar Cinco, Inquirer Southern Luzon