Even before reparations are done by the M/T Princess Empress oil spill last February 28, another tragedy strikes claiming lives and harming the environment late last night, March 29.
Senator Grace Poe, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Services, was referring to the death of 10 people and the rescue of 230 when a passenger ferry caught in the waters of Bulok-Bulok islands, Hadji Mutamad in Basilan late Wednesday night.
"Clearly, the safety component in our transportation is sorely lacking,’’ Poe said.
Poe reiterated her call for an independent agency that would conduct thorough and truthful investigations, and provide corresponding recommendations.
The body will also ensure the worthiness of our transportation — air, land and sea — to avert accidents, she explained.
"As we push for our bill creating the Philippine Transportation Safety Board (PTSB), we will continue to keep watch to ensure that the needs of the victims in the recent sea tragedies are addressed and those responsible will be held accountable,’’ she stressed.