‘We are here to help’: Yamsuan urges MARINA to shape up, seek Congress’ assistance in reforming agency

Parañaque 2nd District Representative Brian Yamsuan has called on the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) to be more proactive in establishing rigid safety standards and ensuring accountability in the sea transport sector, instead of scrambling to take action only after a disaster happens.

Yamsuan, a vice chairperson of the House Committee on Transportation, called out Marina officials for its reactive and short-sighted responses to prevent maritime accidents, such as the sinking in January this year of the MV Trisha Kerstin 3 off the coast of Basilan province. The tragedy killed 66 people and left 14 still missing.

“Kailangan pa ba ng sakuna, bago tayo magbago ng polisiya? (Do we need another tragedy to change our policies?),” Yamsuan said during the recent hearing on the MV Trisha Kerstin 3 incident conducted by the Committee.

Yamsuan assured Marina that the House of Representatives is ready to assist in instituting reforms in the agency, such as providing it the necessary funding and resources to strengthen its regulatory powers in the maritime sector.

“At the end of the day, we are here to help,” Yamsuan told Marina Administrator Sonia Malaluan.

“That’s why we’re talking, having this investigation to determine what laws you need, for us to be able to make this work. Hindi yung tuwing may sakuna gagawa tayo ng task force at saka tayo kikilos. Huwag na tayo maghintay pa ng susunod na sakuna bago tayo umaksyon (And not just form a task force and act just then every time an accident happens. Let’s not wait for the next accident to happen before taking action),” Yamsuan said.

Rep. Franz Pumaren, the chair of the Committee, and other members of the panel also expressed their disappointment over Marina’s lack of governance in the maritime industry.

Yamsuan said that while he appreciates the recommendations and actions taken by Marina in relation to the MV Trisha Kerstin 3 sinking, implementation was poor and lacking, and some of its directives were issued “after the fact.”

These include the strict implementation on signages and the storage and ready access of lifevests and liferafts in sea vessels; an online ticketing system; and the ‘no-ticket, no- boarding’ policy.

“Bakit hindi natin ito inisip bago magkaroon ng trahedya? Kailangan pang umabot sa ganito. (Why didn’t we think of these before the tragedy happened? It even has to come to this).” Yamsuan said.

Yamsuan called on Marina to impose stiffer penalties on its third-party surveyors who are negligent in conducting safety audits and inspections of vessels as they should be held equally responsible if maritime accidents occur.

Marina should also review its 52-year old Charter to find out whether changes needed to be done to further strengthen its capabilities in ensuring passenger safety, Yamsuan said.

He urged Marina to further study the bill filed by Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo which aims to modernize the agency to determine if improvements need to be made to enable Marina to keep pace with industry developments and overcome its challenges.