by jeyzsonic | Jun 25, 2008 | Features
The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has drafted an executive that will create the National Transport Safety Board (NTSB) in the wake of the sinking of the MV Princess of the Stars of Sulpicio Lines at the height of Typhoon Frank.
The drafting of the executive order, was revealed by DOTC Undersecretary for Maritime Transport Elena Bautista.
Bautista – who also pushed for the passage of the Coast Guard Bill – said the NTSB as a separate body will investigate such transport disasters, and not by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) nor by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).
The Coast Guard Bill, on the other hand, will define the identity – whether military or civilian — of the PCG, said Bautista. The PCG is no longer under the Philippine Navy (PN) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), but under the DOTC.
Bautista said she was also tasked to call for industry-wide consultations regarding the guidelines for allowing ships to embark on their respective voyages in times of typhoons. (PIA/Bohol)
by jeyzsonic | Jun 25, 2008 | Features
Personal nga gipasalamatan ni Presidente Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ang kagamhanan sa Estados Unidos sa ilang tabang sa mga biktima sa Bagyong Frank.
Ang pagpasalamat giduso sa Presidente sa iyang tigum ni US State Department Deputy Secretary John Negroponte.
“ Dako kaayo ang among pagpasalamat sa tabang nga gihatag sa kagamhanan sa Estados Unidos” , si Presidente Arroyo nagkanayon.
Ang Estados Unidos misa-ad nga mohatag og balor P3 milyones o $100,000 nga ayuda pina-agi sa Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC).
Ang barko sa US Navy nga Stockton, nga adunay mga “rescue helicopters” padulong na usab sa Isla sa Sibuyan, Romblon aron pagtabang sa pagluwas ug pagpangita sa mga pasahero sa nalunod nga MV Princess of the Stars.
Sa laing bahin, gibutyag usab ni Negroponte ang si Presidente President George W. Bush sa Estados Unidos, personal usab nga mohatag sa iyang “pasubo sa mga Pilipino.” (PIA/Bohol)
by jeyzsonic | Jun 24, 2008 | National News
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was “very concerned” over the fate of the victims of the sinking of the “MV Princess of the Stars” that capsized last Saturday off Sibuyan Island at the height of “Typhoon” Frank.
According to Press Secretary Jesus Dureza, the President is closely monitoring the progress of the rescue operations being conducted by the Navy for the still undetermined number of passengers still trapped inside the vessel.
“She is very concerned,” Dureza said, referring to the President. “And she wants to know why the vessel was allowed to leave port despite the storm,” he added.
The President called a meeting with Cabinet members who joined her in the US to assess the latest developments in the typhoon-stricken areas in the Philippines and the status of rescue operations for the passengers of the ill-fated MV Princess of the Stars.
Dureza said the President wanted an immediate explanation from the Coast Guard and the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) about the tragedy.
The President is on the second leg of her seven-day working visit to the US for a series of meetings with US officials, business leaders and members of the Filipino community.
Earlier, DOTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza ordered the grounding of all Don Sulpicio Line vessels pending the completion of the investigation of the sea tragedy. (PIA/Bohol)
by jeyzsonic | Jun 24, 2008 | National News
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that rescue operations is continuing to look for survivors and bodies of passengers of ill-fated MV Princess of the Stars.
PCG said that vessels carrying 30 divers had left for Romblon to make an opening on of the hull of the vessel in the hope that they might be survivors inside it.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Anthony Golez said 98 were confirmed dead, 66 injured and 115 missing. (PIA/Bohol)
by jeyzsonic | Jun 24, 2008 | National News
Cluster agencies of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) reported that power services were generally restored in Visayas and Luzon regions, particularly in Metro Manila, Cebu and Bohol and that relief and rescue operations are continuing in typhoon Frank devastated areas.
Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes said that only individual households whose electric connections were affected by fallen trees and power posts in their respective areas have remained un-energized.
In the Visayas region, Cebu, Bohol, and Negros are now 100 percent energized while Leyte is 85 percent, Samar is 32 percent, Panay is 52 percent energized.
Reyes said that Panay island, the hardest hit of typhoon “Frank” in terms of power disruptions, is only two percent energized.
He said that Iloilo which is part of Panay and serviced by Panay Power Corporation, is now 50 percent energized. (PIA/Bohol)
