Pump boat operators told: Check permits regularly

CEBU, Philippines — Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza is asking pump boat operators plying from the mainland to Olango Island to regularly check their permits to avoid problems and causing hassle to the passengers.

Radaza issued the reminder yesterday after hundreds of passengers crossing to the island were stranded at Hilton Wharf in Barangay Punta Engaño and Angasil Wharf in Mactan because no ferry boats were allowed to travel by the Philippine Coast Guard on January 4.

Boat operators failed to renew their permits to operate from the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).

"I think ila gyud nang tan-awon always in advance og hapit na ang expiry, work on it na gyud nila kay ang mga tao man sad ang mo-suffer," Radaza said.

Radaza, however, clarified that pump boat operators have permits from MARINA but did not claim it.

"Ang guwa man sad gud ana kanang naa naman diay to ang ilang permits wala lang nila kuhaa," she said.

Because of several complaints from the passengers, a special permit was issued to the pump boat operators on January 5, a day after several passengers were stranded. The operators were given until this week to secure the needed requirements for their safety certificates to be released.

Radaza said the city government is planning to buy more pump boats for emergency use in the future.

"Because of that incident sad... Actually, ang siyudad naay sea ambulance (but) na guba sad ang tarik tungod adtong unsa to na bagyo so we realize nga kinahanglan nga mag dungag pa gyud ang siyudad," she said.

The Lapu-Lapu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office has already sent a request for additional 40-footer speedboat.

"Actually, ang sa atong disaster team, there is already a request nga mag dugang og kanang length sa kanang 40 footer van nga speed boat," she said.

She added that the city will buy two more pump boats to be used as service incase of emergencies.

"Nag-ingon pa gyud ta nga magdugang pa ang city og para service in case og mag emergency, magamit sa mga katawhan sa Olango," she said. (FREEMAN)