WITH GUIMARAS boat operators not able to afford fiberglass or steel-hulled boats, we believe that what transport to use may be left to the Guimarasnons to decide. They can continue using pumpboats in crossing the Iloilo Strait but safety measures must be strictly observed to protect passengers.
The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) already recommended the use of aluminum-hulled boats. Did they find anyone who offered to operate the franchise for it? How much fare will Guimarasnons have to pay to cross the strait?
Fiberglass boats maybe acquired at prices ranging from P5 million to P8 million as mentioned in our column of Sept. 10 and steel-hulled boats can even cost more and so their deployment for passenger use will not be economically viable; passengers could not afford the fare increase.
There is the inevitable need for an extended use of the present wooden pumboats but with safety precautions strictly imposed by MARINA.
Meantime, we cannot understand why the tarpaulin sheds on the boats plying the strait have been removed and passengers are now using umbrellas to protect themselves from the sun or rain while on board. Aside from the inconvenience of bringing umbrellas in their bags or pockets, it can block the sight of the ātimonelā while maneuvering the boat at sea and it can affect safety.
Guimarasnons should be given the chance to decide what is best for them while travelling on the strait during the interim period and MARINA should be supportive of what they will decide. But what they should do is to strictly enforce safety regulations like limiting the number of passengers to authorized capacity always and keeping close tract of weather conditions to control the trips.
We have crossed Iloilo Strait every weekend in our previous work with Couples for Christ in the island province for 12 years without any incident by keeping close watch of the weather always. Besides, there is the prospect of a future bridge to be built across the strait.
THE CAT CAME TO THE WEDDING
It is traditional to release a pair of doves as part of the so-called āfreedomā ceremony at the reception.
The birds are placed inside a hanging white bell, and then freed by the groom and his bride as they pull together the string that will open a trapdoor for the birds to fly away. This is symbolic of the freedom now acquired by the couple from parental control in their new life together.
But in a wedding ceremony at the hotel one morning, when the trapdoor was opened, no birds came out even when the waiter was already shaking the hanging bell.
Finally, he used a long bamboo stick to drive out the birds inside. Then a big cat fell from the trapdoor to the tiled floor below. One of the birds was between its teeth while the other fell on the floor already dead!
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FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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