DOTR CHIEF WARNS SHIPPING LINES: FOLLOW ‘NO OVERLOADING POLICY’ OR FACE CONSEQUENCES

TRANSPORTATION Secretary Vince Dizon warned shipping lines on Monday that they will face severe consequences for abusing and causing inconvenience to passengers by overloading their vessels for more profit.

Dizon issued the warning after ordering the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), and Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to issue a show cause order against a Romblon-bound vessel that violated the anti-overloading policy on sea travel.

“Bumiyahe ‘yung barko. Ang problema nung umabot na sa maximum capacity, hindi na nakasakay mga kababayan natin kaya nakakaawa naman sila na stranded. Bumili ka ng tiket, nagbayad ka akala mo makakasakay ka,” he said.

“Warning ‘to sa mga shipping lines, ‘wag na ‘wag n’yo nang gagawin ‘yan. Kasi you will face the consequences,” Dizon said on the sidelines of his inspection at the Manila North Port Passsenger Terminal.

“Huwag kayong mang-abuso para lang kumita ng mas malaki. Hindi natin ito-tolerate ‘yang ganyang pang-aabuso,” he added.

The transport chief said the shipping line, which he did not identify pending investigation, will be forced to compensate inconvenienced passengers.