Senator Raffy Tulfo met with various heads of government agencies online amid the Senate work suspension to ensure public safety amid the inclement weather brought by Tropical Storm Enteng on Monday, September 2.
Tulfo, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Services immediately warned the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to ensure strict monitoring and inspection of all sea vessels.
He stressed that no maritime vessels should be allowed to sail due to bad weather. However, he added that those permitted to sail because their route was not affected by Enteng must be seaworthy, not overloaded, and have sufficient life vests for the onboard passengers and crew.
It can be recalled that in the past, there were a lot of reports about tragedies at sea caused by bad weather, wherein sea vessels sank and led to numerous deaths due to overloading and lack of lifevests. Later, it was found out that the negligence of the PCG caused this.
On the other hand, he was elated by the information gathered from Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) Spokesperson Eunice Samonte who told him that even though more than 4,000 passengers are currently stranded at the piers, the PPA has prepared enough free snacks, drinks, and proper accommodation for them.
But regardless, Sen. Raffy still warned Samonte that if the information she provided to him was not true, then someone would be held accountable.
Meanwhile, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) management earned Tulfo's ire after he received information that there were tubs and trays scattered in NAIA terminals on Sept. 2 to catch rainwater from the roof with holes.
MIAA Spokesperson Atty Chris Bendijo, for his part, immediately acted on said concern and personally went around NAIA terminals to inspect the leaking roofs. Bendijo told Tulfo that he would urgently find a way to prevent the same problem from happening again.
Still, Tulfo stressed that if it happens again, many MIAA personnel will be punished.
Furthermore, Tulfo told Bendijo to ensure that the airway passenger bill of rights of stranded passengers in NAIA terminals is followed, including the availability of free snacks, bottled water, and proper accommodation for them.
He also ordered him to make sure that all VIP airport lounges, except those owned by airlines, should be reserved for senior citizens, PWDS, pregnant women, and others who need assistance and places to stay in during times like this.
Tulfo also instructed Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Deputy Dir. Gen. Atty. Danjun Lucas to cancel all the flights of small and light aircraft in general aviation, especially those that are privately owned or those that are leased.
In the past, Tulfo said many small aircraft and helicopters have crashed or disappeared due to the hardheadedness of general aviation people who decided to fly even when the weather is bad, especially in the province where monitoring is not strict.
Lucas then vowed to heed the senator's instruction.
On the other hand, Tulfo expressed grave concern over PCG’s sorry condition when it comes to rescue operations. He learned from Lt. Commander Joel Simo-ag that PCG only has one chopper available for rescuing vessels in distress or need of help across the country.
He assured Simo-ag that in the coming Senate budget hearing of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to which the PCG is affiliated, he will recommend on the modernization program of the Coast Guard an additional budget to purchase extra choppers that can be used in its SOS or rescue operation.
He is set to discuss all these problems in the scheduled hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Services on Thursday, Sept. 5.