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For a while there it seemed like the Palace had caved in on the
Sulpicio Lines issue. Reports that the authorities have allowed the
vessels of the inter-island ferry operator to sail again after
grounding its entire fleet for a few days triggered fears that the
Go family would be allowed to get off the hook—again—after the
fourth major sea disaster involving one of its vessels, the MV
Princess of the Stars.
However, two recent official pronouncements
related to what is now being called “Soul-picio Lines” gave the
public some consolation and reassurance.
First, Soul-picio vessels are now restricted to
carrying only cargo until the Board of Marine Inquiry completes its
investigation of the grisly incident in the Sibuyan Sea at the
height of Typhoon Frank.
Second, Malacañang is still seriously mulling
over a possible government takeover. To be sure, President Gloria
Arroyo has said she is aware that such a move would require an act
of Congress. That her next State of the Nation Address is just weeks
away makes observers expect that the Chief Executive might just
include a call for the takeover in her speech before the joint
session of the legislature.
Should the President call on Congress to work
out a takeover she would accomplish several things.
First, a government management team could
scrutinize the operations of Soul-picio and determine why its ships
are so accident-prone. There have been speculations that the owners
do not plow back the company’s earnings toward the proper repair
and maintenance of its aging fleet. Where its profits actually went
cannot be determined since Soul-picio is not a publicly listed
company. A takeover would help the government—and the public, for
that matter—finally solve this mystery.
Second, the takeover would ensure that the
maritime transport needs, covering both passengers and cargo, to and
from Cebu and other points south are met. With a new—hopefully
transparent—management team overseeing Soul-picio’s operations,
its level of safety and reliability of service could be upgraded.
Third and most important, the President would be
in a good position to prevent a possible fifth major maritime
disaster involving a Soul-picio vessel. The government team would be
expected to prioritize passenger safety over profit.
So far, Mrs. Arroyo has been pretty decisive in
her moves regarding Soul-picio. Would that she not succumb to either
pressure or importuning from the political allies of the shipping
company’s owners.
The Princess of the Stars tragedy should trigger
a thoroughgoing government review of maritime transportation in our
archipelagic country. After the President launched a number of
initiatives in the air and land transport sectors, sea travel should
not be left behind.
In the area of commercial aviation, the
President took major steps toward the opening of Terminal 3 of the
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA 3). She used NAIA 3 when
she flew back in from her working visit to the United States to make
an important point.
Prior to that, she appointed former presidential
chief of staff Michael Defensor—an “action man” who reputedly
has the President’s ear—to head a task force to deal with the
remaining obstacles standing in the way of the NAIA 3’s full
operation.
At a recent press conference, Defensor committed
to use the mandate and powers of Task Force NAIA 3 to make sure that
the long-awaited opening of the terminal would be accomplished
soonest. The President made sure that the task force not end up like
another paper tiger. Defensor has been given full authority to
mobilize government resources to iron out all the remaining kinks.
At the presser, Defensor was profuse with his
gratitude to and commendation for the heads of the various
government agencies helping out Task Force NAIA 3. That should be a
good indication that everyone concerned is helping out and nobody
wants to be the spoiler.
In land transportation, the President has sent
strong signals that she wants the long-delayed plans for the
expansion of Metro Manila’s light rail transit system to finally
get going. The concession contract for the LRT line from San Jose
del Monte to North Avenue has been signed. The government is also
set to undertake the extension of the EDSA MRT-3 line following the
buy-back of the project from its private sector owners.
The enhancement of the various transportation
systems as directed by the President is crucial at this time. With
skyrocketing fuel prices, more and more people will be taking public
transport. The President is evidently well aware of this.
Her response to this disturbing economic
development, which has rocked the entire world, is a reliable mass
transportation network, which would bring Filipinos to their
destinations—safely and on time.
dansoy26@yahoo.com
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