DOTr orders compensation for passengers of overloaded ship

In an interview at the sidelines of an inspection at the Manila North Harbor on Monday, Dizon said the ship was coming from Batangas Port headed to Romblon when it was caught violating the anti-overloading policy in sea travel. (File Photo: Department of Transportation – Philippines/Facebook)

By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon has ordered an investigation into an overloaded ship caught by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and demanded compensation for affected passengers.

In an interview at the sidelines of an inspection at the Manila North Harbor on Monday, Dizon said the ship was coming from Batangas Port headed to Romblon when it was caught violating the anti-overloading policy in sea travel.

“Nakakaawa din ang mga kababayan natin dahil may mga na-stranded. Obviously, na-stranded sila dahil nagbenta ng mas madaming ticket yung shipping line compared dun sa allowable number of passengers and weight (I feel bad for the stranded commuters. And this resulted in stranded passengers because the shipping line sold more tickets than the allowable number of passengers and weight),” he said.

“Hindi tayo magko-kompromiso sa safety ng mga pasahero natin. Mai-inconvenience ang ating mga pasahero pero wala tayong choice. Pero karga yan ng shipping line (We won’t compromise the safety of our passengers. They will be inconvenienced but we don’t have a choice. And this is the responsibility of the shipping line). We will hold the shipping line accountable.”

Dizon inspected the Manila North Harbor as part of ‘Oplan Biyaheng Ayos Samana Santa and Summer Vacation’ that seeks to boost safety, security, and convenience for travelers during the Holy Week.

In addition to Manila North Harbor, he also visited the Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) to ensure the proper condition of the land transport terminal.