Shipping line flagged for overloading; Batangas passengers stranded -DOTr

Metro Manila, Philippines - A shipping line has been flagged for overloading, resulting in stranded passengers in Batangas amid the Holy Week travel, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said on Monday, April 14.

Dizon did not identify the shipping company pending investigation.

Philippine Coast Guard commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said authorities limited the number of passengers to the capacity of the ship, which left Batangas for Romblon.

Dizon said a show cause order will be sent to the shipping line to explain the supposed violation.

“Hindi tayo magkokompromiso sa safety ng mga pasahero natin [We do not compromise the safety of our passengers],” Dizon said on the sidelines of his inspection at the Manila North Port.

“We will hold the shipping line accountable dahil hindi dapat siya nagbebenta ng ticket na sobra sa capacity ng barko niya. Kailangan ma-compensate ‘yung ating mga kababayan na bumili ng ticket pero ‘di nakasakay,” he said.

[Translation: We will hold the shipping line accountable because it should not be selling tickets that are beyond its capacity. Our fellow Filipinos who bought tickets but were stranded should be compensated.]

Gavan called on shipping companies to be responsible in their actions.

The shipping line may face suspension, fines, and penalties as a consequence to the supposed overloading.