Governor: Always have someone take charge of rescue boats

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III has instructed the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) to always appoint a provincial officer when lending equipment.

“Next time kung naay ingon ana, make sure nga atong tawo ang modala,” he said, referring to PDRRMO Chief Baltazar Tribunalo.

Davide said this after a PDRRMO speedboat almost sank last week due to improper anchorage in Talisay.

The boat was supposed to escort the fluvial procession of St. Teresa de Avila but due to the unfavorable weather, the procession was called off.

Because of poor anchorage, the boat began taking in water and listed on its portside. No one was hurt in the incident, but the boat suffered some damage.

The governor said that he already talked to PDRRMO Head Baltazar Tribunalo and inquired about the circumstances why the incident happened.

As a course of action, Davide instructed that PDRRMO always have provincial government personnel on the ground.

Meanwhile, Baltazar clarified that there was actually a PDRRMO officer on duty when the incident happened.

What took place, he said, was caused by “human error”, as the officer failed to check the length of the rope before anchoring the vessel.

He said it was a “lesson learned” for the office to ensure that the incident will not happen again. He promised that they would adhere’ to the governor’s recommendation. (FREEMAN)