Relief shipments given discounts

SHIPPING companies are not prohibited from collecting fees for the relief goods they are transporting, the maritime office explained yesterday.
But amid reports that residents of Bantayan island are signing a petition against his company, Island Shipping owner Alex Tan said they  allowed the free transport of relief goods during the first few days after Yolanda struck northern Cebu.
After that, they collected fees but gave a 20 percent discount on relief goods.
“We also have to sustain our operations,” Tan said.
Jose Cabatingan, legal and information officer of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina ), said his office has not yet  receive a copy of the petition launched by the parish priest and residents  of Sta Fe, Bantayan Island against Island Shipping and Super Shuttle Ferry.
He said Marina may require the two firms to give their side after  assessing first if  further investigation is needed.
MCCCI’S GIFT
Meanwhile, at least 300 evacuees from Samar and Leyte who are staying temporarily in Mandaue City were treated to a Christmas party by the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI).
“We did not expect we would still be able to experience Christmas,” said a teary-eyed Junrey Imbodo, who are among the survivors from Tacloban.
Held at the Mandaue Sports and Cultural Complex last Friday evening, the party gave survivors of supertyphoon Yolanda not just dinner and entertainment, but also Christmas gifts and inspirational messages in a venue surrounded with lanterns, balloons and Christmas decorations.
Mandaue business chamber president President Philip Tan said they want to let the survivors know that there is hope./Correspondents Jhunnex Napallacan and Norman V. Mendoza