Senate resolution seeks probe into Binangonan boat tragedy

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

SENATOR Grace Poe has filed a resolution to investigate the capsizing of MB Aya has been pushing for years. with adequate life-saving, communication, safety and other equipment operated and maintained in accordance with the standards set by Marina, and manned by duly licensed and competent vessel crew.” capacity is only 30 passengers but it was allegedly allowed to sail with about 70 passengers on board without enough life vests, in addition to bad weather conditions.

Express off the waters of Binangonan, Rizal that resulted in 27 deaths.

Senate Resolution No. 704 seeks to determine accountability for the July 27 tragedy and to find out whether maritime regulations have been followed. Those responsible for the death of the 27 individuals and the trauma of the 43 rescued victims should be held accountable for this incident,” Poe, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Services said in her resolution.

As proposed, the board will independently investigate land, air and sea accidents and incidents; determine probable causes, and issue safety recommendations and studies to prevent their recurrence.

Poe said the probe would look into all relevant information to verify reports of overloading for which the operator, shipowner, and boat captain could be held liable if proven true.

T he same liability rests on the said individuals over statements by the surviving passengers that they were not provided life vests.

“We will find out if Marina did its job of inspecting the vessels and equipment on board to ensure compliance with safety standards,” said Poe.

The MB Aya Express incident is the second maritime disaster this year after 33 people died in an 8-hour ferry fire in Basilan in March 2023.

Tulfo said the relevant government authorities, including the PCG and Marina, that allowed this tragedy to happen should not get off the hook.

Poe indicated the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) could also face liability for its failure to monitor the number of passengers boarding the boat, validate the truthfulness of the manifest, and consider the harsh weather conditions despite the absence of a storm signal.

“Despite being an archipelago, the Philippines has a poor maritime safety record with people dying in sea mishaps yearly, usually on board aging, wooden motor boats used for fishing or to move people from one small island to another,” Poe said.

“27 people died when Princess Aya capsized. This happened because of the neglect of authorities like the PCG and Marina,” the lawmaker said, reminding that “like previous accidents, they allowed boats to sail, allowed overloading, and did not ensure enough life vests available,” he said, mostly in Filipino.

“Besides the banca owner and workers, someone in PCG and Marina must be liable because incidents like this keep happening,” he added.

Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

Tulfo also vowed to prioritize his support on inclusive policies, equal opportunities and social safety nets that can address the socioeconomic disparities to create a more equitable nation.

“This tragedy revealed serious maritime safety compliance lapses that need to be revisited to determine whether the regulations are insufficient to provide and ensure safe voyage of individuals at sea or whether there is simply complacency in the implementation,” she added.

Moreover, Poe pointed out the need for a National Transport Safety Board, which she

The senator stressed that the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) must abide by its mandate under Section 9 of Republic Act No. 9295, which states that: “All vessels operated by domestic ship operators shall at all times be in seaworthy condition properly equipped

Other senators who sought accountability from Marina, PCG and relevant authorities over the Binangonan tragedy are Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Raffy Tulfo.

Sen. Tulfo also demanded accountability for the death of 27 passengers of MB Princess Aya.

Reports said Princess Aya’s maximum

Tulfo lamented that the boat’s crew members are often the ones punished and sent to jail, and in most cases, the boat owners get away with their lapses. “Ang masaklap pa, puro imbestigasyon na lamang hinggil sa kapabayaan ng PCG at Marina at wala pa talagangnasasampolansakanila.”