Coast Guard execs change posts in Iloilo stations
Former Iloilo Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) commander Harold Harder is back in his post with his comeback officially on today.
This following the relief of Captain Eduardo Fabricante in the Iloilo PCG station, a direct aftershock of the accident off the waters of Concepcion, Iloilo.
Fabricante was apparently relieved as the investigation unfolded on the incident involving MB Rolliv. Said pumpboat carrying some 40 passengers capsized by the vicinity of Barangay Bagongon when Typhoon Quinta hit. At least 14 were confirmed dead on what stands as the worst incident to hit northern Iloilo coastal town of Concepcion.
To note, Commander Harder after a long stint in the Iloilo Station was transferred in the Coast Guard Western Visayas headquarters.
In an interview over Bombo Radyo Iloilo, Harder clarified though that the new assignment is only on "acting capacity" with Coast Guard hierarchy still working on a "permanent" reliever for Fabricante.
Yet once the investigation concludes, it is believed that Fabricante will also be cleared of any direct responsibility on the accident.
Along with Captain Fabricante, relieved from post was Coast Guard Ajuy Station officer Antonio Franco.
Harder told Bombo Radyo that Coast Guard operations and monitoring within the Iloilo area of responsibility will be strengthened in order to avert similar tragedy in Concepcion.
The Concepcion tragedy launched an extensive search and rescue operations with the presence of Mayor Elizabeth Salcedo.
Travel to and from the Concepcion mainland across the destination of the ill-fated pumpboat was about 40 minutes with daily pumpboat operations here.
The Philippine Coast Guard and Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) reportedly would file appropriate charges against the owner and skipper of the MB Roliv.
However, Marina reportedly is also blaming the Coast Guard for its "lapse" that allowed the MB Roliv to leave port despite the hoisting of Storm Signal No. 1 over the area.
Local authorities' investigation showed the MB Roliv was overloaded, and had been traveling without a franchise or document for public safety. Investigation also found that the owners of the vessel had not renewed its license for five years.
Meanwhile, Marina will meet with local officials and operators of pumpboat in Concepcion, on November 13 to discuss the establishment of a system to avoid the repeat of another tragic incident similar to what happened to MB Roliv.
Atty. Vincent Lusaya, acting legal officer of Marina here said that the system will ensure supervision and safety compliance of various pumpboats that ferry passengers and cargoes from the town proper to the island barangays of Concepcion and vice-versa.
Lusaya mentioned that only five of the pumpboats engaged in the transport of passengers in the municipality have been registered with Marina while a lot more are operating without any registration.
However, of the five pumpboats only three have franchise, including MV Roliv that capsized last week, but with expired safety certificates while the two others have no franchises.
Due to lack of franchise the vessels are 'devoid of the mandatory passenger insurance coverage.'
Lusaya, said aside from the lack of registration there are others that are being manned by minors.
Lusaya, added that they have invited the Regional Maritime Office 6 and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to join them in the meeting.
While waiting for the result, the LGU concerned will initially provide one policeman to 'oversee the operation such as putting order and the requited manifesto of passengers' and other documents necessary for the travel at the municipal fishing port.
RMO 6 regional officer Supt Cornelio R. Salinas, meanwhile, expressed the readiness of his office to dispatch personnel who will assist the Marina should the agency would like to check on the existence of colorum pumpboat operators in Concepcion. (with reports from PNA)