The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) denied allegations that it has been the cause of the delay in the shipment of generator sets bound for Cebu.
This, after Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said the agency withheld the vessel at the Batangas Port that was supposed to transport the generator sets that the provincial government purchased for areas affected by Typhoon "Odette."
According to Garcia, the 35 units of 5KVA Generator sets were supposed to arrive Thursday, Dec. 23, but because of MARINA’s intervention, it only arrived on Sunday, Dec. 26.
However, MARINA denied Garcia's claims and noted that it issued a special permit for the shipment a day after its application.
"The mercy ship bound for Cebu, MV Fastcat M16 deployed by Archipelago Shipping Corp. applied for Special Permit on the evening of Dec. 21 and was immediately issued said permit on Dec. 22, upon satisfying all ship safety requirements," MARINA said in a statement on Wednesday, Dec 29.
"MV Fastcat M16 was at the Navotas shipyard at the time of application. As such, safety inspection was immediately conducted and appropriate ship safety certificate including required special permit to load cargoes bound for Cebu City and elsewhere in the country were issued by MARINA in less than 24 hours," it added.
The agency added that it has been consistent in ensuring that ships are made available for the carriage of relief goods and equipment, and for the transport of individuals and first responders to typhoon-hit areas in compliance with the directive of President Duterte and Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade.
"The MARINA will reach out and appeal and will explain our common efforts and undertaking to make shipping services available soonest possible, so as not to aggravate the suffering of the victims of the typhoon," it said
"The MARINA remains steadfast in its resolve to act swiftly on applications for special permits for mercy missions in the Visayas and in Northern Mindanao while ensuring that ships granted such Special Permits possess the required seaworthiness to sail," it added.