“Higit po sa lahat, sisingilin natin ang pananagutan ng mga responsableng kawani ng gobyerno.”
This was the promise made by Senator Robin Padilla after sending help to families of the fatalities in the tragedy in Binangonan, Rizal last July 27, when the passenger banca MB Princess Aya capsized.
Members of Padilla’s office, with Nadia Montenegro, visited barangays in Binangonan and Jala-Jala in Rizal to bring aid to the families of the victims. At least 27 died in the tragedy.
The legislator 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 Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), fulfill their duty.
In a Facebook video posted recently, the lawmaker detailed the response taken by his office to bring aid to the victims’ families.
They visited the families in Barangay Sapang, Gulod, Janosa, Kaytome, Bilibiran, Buhangin, and Ginoong-Sanay in Binangonan; and Barangay Bayugo and third district of Jala-Jala. They rode a rescue boat, and were helped by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Municipal Social Welfare and Development and Mayor Cesar Ynares.
“Kalunos lunos ang estado na kanilang nadatnan. Kabilang na rito ang kawalang kakayahan ng mga pamilya na magpalibing ng kanilang mga mahal sa buhay.”
“Ang nakalulungkot po, sa dami ng sinuong na pamayanan ng aming tanggapan, kalunos lunos ang estado na kanilang nadatnan. Kabilang na rito ang kawalang kakayahan ng mga pamilya na magpalibing ng kanilang mga mahal sa buhay at ang patuloy na paghahanap ng hustisya sa sinapit ng mga biktima,” Padilla said.
“Ang trahedya pong ito ay dulot ng kapabayaan na maari sanang maiwasan kung may matibay na pamantayan at pangangasiwa sa paglalayag.”
“Nakakagalit at nakapanlulumo. Ang trahedya pong ito ay dulot ng kapabayaan na maari sanang maiwasan kung may matibay na pamantayan at pangangasiwa sa paglalayag,” he added.
Padilla cited reports that the banca was overloaded – with a capacity of 42 but loaded with at least 70 passengers.
He also cited reports that there were not enough life vests, as well as the poor judgments by the vessel’s captain – as well as the negligence of government officials in ensuring the vessel’s safety before it sailed.
Padilla 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.
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.
“Ipagdidiin ko po: Tulad ng mga biktima, marami pa rin sa ating mga kababayan na napipilitang baybayin ang karagatan araw-araw upang makauwi sa kanilang mga tahanan sa mga isla-barangay. Ang ating responsibilidad ay tiyakin na ang bawat paglalayag ay ligtas at payapa at hindi kailanman dapat maging banta sa kanilang buhay,” Padilla concluded.
