BORACAY – The Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of Malay, Aklan wanted the phase-out of wooden-hulled boats transporting people to this island from Caticlan, Malay and vice versa be deferred, citing the current economic difficulties.
The coronavirus disease pandemic has adversely affected 800 boatmen and 60 boat operators due to tourism inactivity in Boracay.
“Wala halos bisita sa isla. May mga pump boats na isa lang ang biyahe sa isang linggo o apat sa isang buwan. Naaapektuhan ang kinikita ng mga boat operators at kabuhayan ng mga boat crew,” said SB member Ralf Tolosa.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and its attached agency Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) are pushing for the modernization of sea travel for a safer maritime public sector industry. They call for the phase-out of all wooden-hulled boats.
Tolosa said the SB plans to recommend that MARINA and DOTr temporarily allow wooden-hulled boats to continue operating the Boracay-Caticlan route (and vice versa) until 2022.
“Ang ating mga boat operators committed to replace their existing boats ngunit dahil sa pandemya, hindi nila kaya ang cost. Humingi sila ng tulong sa atin para ma-extend ang planong phase-out,” said Tolosa, also the Liga ng mga Barangay president.
A fiber glass boat costs about P5 million to P7 million.
So far, the Caticlan Boracay Transport Multi-purpose Cooperative (CBTMPC) has 20 fiberglass vessels and some are still being fabricated.
CBTMPC chairman Godofredo Sadiasa pointed out the boat owners and members with wooden-hauled boats are also aware of the expiration of the Certificate of Passenger Convenience (CPC) of the accredited transport cooperative with MARINA on January 2021.
Before the pandemic, the country’s maritime regulatory agency stressed it will not extend the CPC of wooden-hauled boats. Boat operators, however, cited limited resources to replace around 50 wooden-hauled boats with modern units, especially at this time.
MARINA Memorandum Circular 2016-02 mandates the entry of steel-hauled boats or with fiberglass, aluminum or any technologically-improved hull material for safer, more environment-friendly and convenient sea transportation of guests and local residents.
Last year, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan and CBTMPC proposed to MARINA a gradual phase-out period until 2023./PN
