Pumpboats servicing passengers to and from the island province of Guimaras are allowed to use canvas awnings (trapal) again.
Representative Lucille Nava confirmed that Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade has already approved the provincial government’s request to “install canvas awnings on wooden-hulled bancas.”
But she said pumpboat operators are required to comply with specifications prescribed by the DOTr.
The cover should be 1.8 meter in height; the length and width of the boat should be 50 percent and 80 percent, respectively; and the angle of deflection must not be more than 15 degrees from the horizontal line.
The removal of canvas awnings is one of the conditions set by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) as it lifted the suspension on pumpoat operations.
All other limitations remain in effect such as the mandatory wearing of life vests; 75 percent passenger capacity; sunrise to sunset operations only, travel during fair weather condition only; and all boats must have distress signal and communication equipment.
Nava said the issuance of Tugade is subject to the phase in/phase out program of the wooden- hulled motor bancas as proposed by the boat cooperatives and owners.
She said that a formal advisory will be issued by DOTr for dissemination of the directive.
MARINA suspended the operations of pumpboats following the Iloilo Strait tragedy. Thirty-one passengers died when three pumpboats capsized on Aug. 3, 2019.
The country’s maritime regulator lifted its suspension order on Aug. 13.IMT
