The provincial government of Guimaras is eyeing to train the crew of motorized bancas plying the Iloilo-Guimaras routes to serve as first responders in case of emergency.
This was one of the proposals during a legislative inquiry on the August 3 Iloilo Strait tragedy conducted by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Guimaras held at the GTIC Building in Jordan, Guimaras recently.
Vice Governor John Edward Gando said they have noticed that boatmen can serve as first responders, especially based on testimonies of survivors, the Philippine Coast Guard is “inutile” when it comes to such kind of situation.
“They will be provided with appropriate, standard training. We will look for experts to be our resource persons,” Gando said in a phone interview. Particularly, they would like the crewmen to be adept at what to do in case their motorboats capsize.
He said that as of their last account, there are around 500 boatmen; 300 plying the Buenavista to Iloilo and around 200 from Jordan to Iloilo routes.
Meantime, he expressed disappointment over the failure of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the PCG to send representatives to the inquiry. He was told that MARINA attended a similar inquiry in Iloilo City.
There was no word from the PCG but the invitation was addressed to Commander Perlita Cinco, who was the station commander of PCG Iloilo Station when the tragedy happened, Gando said.
He said the SP will convene during their regular session next week and will decide whether they need to pass a resolution seeking the help of the Ombudsman in the conduct of the investigation and likewise file an administrative case against concerned individuals.
The vice governor added that he will also write a letter to the PCG asking for the names of those on duty at the time of the sea mishap.
“They can run but they cannot definitely hide. We might be seeing each other during a congressional inquiry or at the Ombudsman,” he said.
The inquiry was attended by survivors of the tragedy, families of those who perished and members of the local disaster risk reduction and management council, among others.
In a phone interview with Commodore Allan Victor dela Vega, Commander of the PCG Western Visayas, he said that he has not received an invitation from the Guimaras SP.
At the same time, he was also in a similar inquiry conducted by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) of Iloilo City on the same day.
He added that Commander Cinco was advised by lawyers to “refrain from attending” because she is under investigation.PNA
