Rescuers unload a body bag containing the remains of one the passengers retrieved from the ill-fated M/V Kim Nirvana at the pier in Ormoc City, Leyte on Friday. A ferry loaded with nearly 200 people capsized 200 meters from the shore on Thursday, officials said, killing at least 41 people.(MNS Photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya on Monday said officials of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) may be held liable if the design of the ill-fated MB Kim Nirvana-B was approved despite its supposed deficiencies.
“Kung may pagkakamali ng disensyo, nasa Marina ‘yan, nasa naval architect or kung sino man licensed na nag-approve ng design na ito. Titingnan din natin ‘yung anggulo na ‘yan,” Abaya said.
The motor banca was bound for Camotes Island in Cebu when it capsized off Ormoc City port shortly after noon Thursday, killing at least 60 passengers.
Engineer Nelson Ramirez of the United Filipino Seafarers earlier said that Marina officials must be held liable for approving the design of and issuing an accreditation to Kim Nirvana.
“By merely looking at the picture of M/V Kim Nirvana, you don’t have to be a maritime expert to say that this motorized banca is seaworthy or not. You can immediately see that the stability of this double decker vessel is questionable. How it passed the safety standards is the most controversial question of the day,” he said.
Abaya said he has tasked Marina Administrator Maximo Mejia, Jr. to probe the approval of Kim Nirvana’s design.
“Recently lang nag-operate yung bangka… Malaking bangka ito, dumaan din sa Marina so inatasan ko na si Administrator Mejia na tingnan din yung proseso kung paano inaprubahan yung disensyo ng bangka na ito,” he said.
The DOTC chief also said that the Philippine Coast Guard is looking into reports that the vessel was overloaded.
Pursuant to President Benigno Aquino III’s instructions, Abaya said they will conduct a speedy and thorough investigation on the incident.
“Mahalaga talaga dito mahanap ‘yung katotohanan, secondary ‘yung timeline. Alam din naman ‘yun ng Coast Guard at ng kapulisan na mahalaga lalo sa mga namatayan at survivors na malaman kaagad yung dahilan dito,” he said.
Police authorities have already filed murder charges against the owner and crew of the ferry. (MNS)