THE 21ST City Council called on the 20th House of Representatives to enact a comprehensive maritime safety law covering criminal penalties for safety violations following several maritime accidents in the country.
During the regular session on Tuesday, Feb. 3, Proponent Councilor Luna Acosta said the current laws governing seafaring vessels, which are administered and enforced by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), as well as other concerned offices, are often confusing, contradictory, or overly complicated.
Lawmakers invited MARINA and the PCG representatives to Tuesday’s regular session to discuss matters on maritime security in the city in aid of legislation.
It can be noted that Councilor Ralph Abella introduced the Maritime Passenger Safety Compliance Ordinance of Davao City last Feb. 3 session, aiming to tighten the mandatory documentary requirements, including documents issued by the MARINA and PCG.
“Most penalties are covered only by administrative fines or suspension of permits, to the detriment of the seafaring public,” Acosta said.
The councilor stressed there is no single comprehensive law that specifically covers the safety and security of the seafaring public and criminally penalizes errant boat owners, operators, crew, or passengers for violating safety protocols.
She added that there is a directory of errant violations, and ensures that violators will no longer be allowed to register operators or set sail in other localities.
“With the current maritime accidents plaguing the country, it is high time to increase administrative fines, implement criminal penalties, and hold offenders liable for safety violations, non-compliance with permits, and other offenses,” Acosta stressed.
The councilor said that as much as the city council wanted to enact a city ordinance to ensure all the boats plying to and from the city, neighboring cities and municipalities that share the same sea as the city have to be considered.
Commodore Philipps Soria, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Southeastern Mindanao commander, said there is a need to amend the national law
“For the past several years, MARINA and PCG have been talking over para ma improve din natin na magkaroon ng effect ang punishing charges. The result of continuing talks resulted in the amendment of fines at MARINA, but they couldn’t be implemented because they are so extensive,” Soria said.
He added that these are administrative charges and lack criminal liability against violators.
Soria also backed the push of the city council for the Maritime Passenger Safety Compliance Ordinance in support of the existing national law.
“This is a very welcome development coming from the national government for the local government to have their own city ordinance because in the redundancy of control na tinatag natin, it will not only be visible sa national government but reflective in the national government,” he said.
Soria added that, apart from Marina and PCG, the ordinance will allow the operators to comply, given that the extra control with the revocation of permits will be a plus factor.
The proposed ordinance, which was read on the first reading, will penalize those who fail to comply with the requirements, such as a P5,000 fine and the suspension of the business permit.
