Senators to grill officials involved in ferry tragedy

By Macon

Ramos-Araneta

SENATORS will demand accountability from the officials responsible for the sinking of the passenger ferry M/B Princess Aya at Laguna Lakenear Binangonan, Rizal last week, which claimed the lives of 27 persons.

Sen. Robin Padilla underscored the promise after sending help to families of the fatalities in the tragedy in Binangonan last July 27.

The Philippine Coast Guard expected the result of an investigation into the capsizing incident Monday this week, but so far the Philippine National Police has yet to release its findings.

“Let’s wait for the result of the investigation team. As of now, our Station Commander in the area has been relieved,” PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo said during the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City.

The relief will give way to a “fair, honest, and transparent investigation,” PCG Commandant, Admiral Artemio Abu said on Thursday.

Padilla said it is unacceptable that there are many cases of maritime tragedies. He vowed the Senate probe into the Binangonan tragedy would patch the loopholes in the law, as well as focus on addressing overloading, vessels' seaworthiness, and training of personnel in the maritime industry, as well as their preparedness to respond to emergencies.

Members of Padilla's office, with actress Nadia Montenegro, visitedbarangays in Binangonan and Jala-Jala in Rizal to bring aid to the families of the victims.

Padilla stressed the need for a speedy investigation of the tragedy as well as efforts to make sure officials and personnel of agencies tasked with ensuring maritime safety, including the PCG and Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), fulfill their duty.

He likewise sought the speedy release of the results of the probe by the MARINA's Marine Safety Investigation, as well as the early resolution of cases lodged against the owner, operator, and captain of the vessel.

"I emphasize that like the victims, many Filipinos travel by sea daily to return to their homes in island barangays. Our responsibility is to make sure their trips are safe and free from threats," he said.

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In the last four weeks, diesel prices have risen by P6.80 per liter, gasoline by P5.35, and kerosene by P5.90.

Rodela Romero, Department of Energy director for the oil industrymanagement bureau, confirmed the impending oil price hike for next week.

"Oil prices jumped after Saudi Arabia said it would extend its unilateral voluntary cut of one million barrels per day into September adding that the cut could be extended or extended and deepened," Romero said.

On August 1, oil companies implemented an increase of P2.10 per liter for gasoline, P3.50 per liter for diesel, and kerosene by P3.20 to P3.25 per liter. These price adjustments resulted in a year-to-date net decrease ofP0.10 per liter for kerosene. Gasoline and diesel prices, on the other hand, have a net increase of P11 per liter and P3.10 per liter, respectively.

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Quiroz as the GCG chairman, while Brian Keith Hosoka will serve as Gideon de Villa Mortel's replacement as GCG member.

Corpus formerly worked as an undersecretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government for Public Safety during the Aquino administration.

Meanwhile, Hosoka was the spokesperson and chief of the Supreme Court Public Information Office before his recent appointment.

The GCG, created by virtue of Republic Act 10149 or the GOCC Governance Act 2011, oversees different government-owned and controlled corporations across the country.

The GCG's jurisdiction includes 118 GOCCs, consisting of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, local water districts, and research institutions.

Hosaka previously served as PIO chief and Supreme Court spokesman under three chief justices — Lucas P. Bersamin (the current Executive Secretary), Diosdado M. Peralta, and the current Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo.

Before his designation as PIO chief of the Supreme Court, he was a founding partner of Paner Hosaka & Ypil Attorneys-at-Law. He also once served as deputy general counsel of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. Charles Dantes and Rey E. Requejo

In Brief

Malls hold off sales for FIBA World Cup MALL and shopping center operators have agreed with the proposal of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to tentatively close shop as the country hosts the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup on Aug. 17 to Sept. 10.

The MMDA made the proposal as part of its overall traffic management plan to ease traffic flow in Metro Manila during the FIBA games.

“The postponement of mall sales is for the smooth flow of traffic on EDSA where FIBA delegates and players will pass to the playing venues,” said MMDA chairman Romando Artes.

The mall operators agreed to be cooperate with the agency’s request.

“This will help to prevent people from flocking to the malls during FIBA and avoid the heavy flow of traffic on EDSA,” Artes said.

The MMDA was also considering implementing a moratorium on road diggings along EDSA during the same period to further ease the flow of traffic.

At present, the Department of Public Works and Highways - National Capital Region Office is conducting road repairs and reblocking on the stretch of EDSA Bus Way from Gil Puyat Ave. in Makati City to Munoz St. in Quezon City. The non-stop and week-long road works will be made starting 10 p.m. Friday (Aug. 4) until 5 a.m. Aug. 9. Joel E. Zurbano

LTO favors special plates for e-vehicles

THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Friday welcomed a proposal by a party-list representative to produce special plates for e-vehicles.

LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II said he would consult with Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista with regard to the House Bill 8570, which was filed by Malasakit at Bayanihan Rep. Anthony Golez Jr.

Under the measure, the LTO would be mandated to create special plates for e-vehicles in order to encourage more Filipinos to own one as part of the global effort to protect the environment.

A number of car dealers has already started releasing hybrid vehicles in the country and one of the perks of owning such a type of vehicle is the exemption from the number coding scheme of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. Rio N. Araja

New homes for Kalibo families due to airport

TRANSPORT and aviation officials on Friday led the groundbreaking ceremony for the Kalibo International Airport (KIA) resettlement project to address the housing needs of families affected by development programs at the airport.

The project initiated by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) was made possible in partnership with the local government units of the Province of Aklan and the Municipality of Kalibo.

DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said the resettlement project encompasses the essential land development and construction of housing units for the displaced families. Joel Zurbano