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Padilla vows to demand accountability vs officials involved in Laguna Lake tragedy
Philippines
National
Padilla vows to demand accountability vs officials involved in Laguna Lake tragedy
Padilla vows to demand accountability vs officials involved in Laguna Lake tragedy
Published Aug 4, 2023 09:53 am
Senator Robinhood "Robin" C. Padilla has vowed to hold the officials responsible for the boat mishap in Binangonan, Rizal last July 2.
"We will demand responsibility from the officials responsible for this Laguna Lake tragedy," Padilla promised after sending help to families of the fatalities in the tragedy.
Members of Padilla's office, with Mrs. Nadia Montenegro, visited barangays in Binangonan and Jala-Jala in Rizal to bring aid to the families of the victims of the passenger banca MB Princess Aya that capsized off the waters of Laguna Lake. At least 27 died in the tragedy.
Padilla stressed the need for a speedy investigation of the tragedy as well as efforts to make sure officials and personnel of agencies tasked with ensuring maritime safety, including the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), fulfill their duty.
In a Facebook video posted Thursday night, Padilla detailed the response taken by his office to bring aid to the victims' families.
They visited the families in Barangay Sapang, Gulod, Janosa, Kaytome, Bilibiran, Buhangin, and Ginoong-Sanay in Binangonan; and Barangay Bayugo and third district of Jala-Jala. They rode a rescue boat, and were helped by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Municipal Social Welfare and Development and Mayor Cesar Ynares.
"Ang nakalulungkot po, sa dami ng sinuong na pamayanan ng aming tanggapan, kalunos lunos ang estado na kanilang nadatnan. Kabilang na rito ang kawalang kakayahan ng mga pamilya na magpalibing ng kanilang mga mahal sa buhay at ang patuloy na paghahanap ng hustisya sa sinapit ng mga biktima (What is sad is that the families had no means to bury their departed loved ones, and continue to cry for justice)," Padilla said.
”Nakakagalit at nakapanlulumo. Ang trahedya pong ito ay dulot ng kapabayaan na maari sanang maiwasan kung may matibay na pamantayan at pangangasiwa sa paglalayag (This makes me angry and sad. This tragedy could have been prevented if we had firm rules in place)," he added.
Padilla cited reports that the banca was overloaded - with a capacity of 42 but loaded with at least 70 passengers.
He also cited reports that there were not enough life vests, as well as the poor judgments by the vessel's captain - as well as the negligence of government officials in ensuring the vessel's safety before it sailed.
He likewise sought the speedy release of the results of the probe by the MARINA's Marine Safety Investigation - as well as the early resolution of cases lodged against the owner, operator, and captain of the vessel.
Padilla said it is unacceptable that there are many cases of maritime tragedies.
He vowed the Senate probe into the Binangonan tragedy would patch the loopholes in the law - as well as focus on addressing overloading, vessels' seaworthiness, and training of personnel in the maritime industry, as well as their preparedness to respond to emergencies.
"Ipagdidiin ko po: Tulad ng mga biktima, marami pa rin sa ating mga kababayan na napipilitang baybayin ang karagatan araw-araw upang makauwi sa kanilang mga tahanan sa mga isla-barangay. Ang ating responsibilidad ay tiyakin na ang bawat paglalayag ay ligtas at payapa at hindi kailanman dapat maging banta sa kanilang buhay (I emphasize that like the victims, many Filipinos travel by sea daily to return to their homes in island barangays. Our responsibility is to make sure their trips are safe and free from threats)," he said.