Motor bancas given go signal to resume Iloilo-Guimaras operations

MANILA, Philippines — Passenger motor bancas passing along the Iloilo-Guimaras Strait were allowed to resume their operations Tuesday barely two weeks after the maritime mishap that killed at least 31 individuals.

The Maritime Industry Authority lifted the suspension it earlier imposed on Iloilo-Guimaras boat trips, thereby giving the go signal for the passenger vessels to operate.

MARINA stressed that motor bancas should only carry passengers up to 75% of their authorized capacity and should be equipped with distress signals or equipment.

The passenger vessels will be allowed to sail only during fair weather, when the wind is not more than seven to 10 knots and the wave height is not more than 0.5 meters.

Passengers should wear life jackets throughout the voyage and the tarpaulin should either be rolled up or removed.

Last week, MARINA suspended operations of all passenger motorbancas in the Iloilo-Guimaras route. The suspension resulted in long lines of people trying to get aboard roll-on, roll-off vessels.  

Squalls or sudden violent gusts of wind tipped over three wooden-hulled outriggers in the Iloilo-Guimaras Strait on August 3. — Gaea Katreena Cabico