Buenavista motorboats suspended until they get insurance
The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) said it will not lift the suspension of operations of the motorboat operators in Buenavista in Guimaras until the operators comply with safety and insurance requirements.
Engineer Rufina Aquino, marine industry development specialist of the Marina regional office, said the motorboat operators have been given until Oct. 31 to acquire an insurance policy that will cover all motorboat passengers and crew.
The Marina regional office issued an order on Oct. 4 suspending the operations of the 51 motorboats plying the Iloilo and Buenavista route for lack of safety certificates and after the operators' insurance policy had expired.
Aquino said the group's safety certificates had expired after they failed to comply with provisions of Republic Act 9295 (Domestic Shipping and Development Act of 2004) requiring motorboat operators to equip their boats with life jackets from Marina-accredited suppliers.
The operators' insurance policy expired on Sept. 30. Lack of insurance covering the passenger capacity of passenger motorboats is a violation of RA 9295 and other rules and regulations, according to the Marina order. The insurance has a coverage of P200,000 per person.
Marina on Oct. 5 issued an order allowing seven motorboats to resume operations after their operators acquired an insurance policy covering 200 persons.
Aquino said the motorboat operators have also purchased life jackets but these will be gradually delivered.
Guimaras officials and residents have complained of the inconvenience and damage to the economy brought by the suspension of operations of almost all boats.
The seven boats could not accommodate the bulk of passengers. Residents of Buenavista have opted to travel to the Jordan wharf where they can take a boat ride to Iloilo.
Guimaras Rep. JC Rahman Nava called on Marina to reconsider its order suspending the operation of the motorboats.
He said the motorboat operators failed to renew their insurance policy because the Marina regional office opposed the filing of a group insurance policy. He also pointed out that the insurance company refused to renew the expired policy.
Aquino denied that they opposed the filing of a group insurance policy for members of the motorboat operators association.
She said their order is for the safety of passengers and crew members of the motorboats.