TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA) – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Bohol is not losing any hope of getting an approval from its central headquarters for the exemption of Loboc River Cruises and the Tapal Ubay to Popoo President Carlos P Garcia vessel routes in detention during ill weather especially during the hoisting of storm signals.
PCG Western Bohol acting station commander Lieutenant Junior Grade (Ltjg) Romulo Balonga Jr., revealed that it has applied for consideration of Loboc River and Ubay to President Carlos P. Garcia special areas in Bohol, so these can be exempted from the detention of vessels when the state weather bureau hoists storm signals.
At the Kapihan sa PIA few weeks ago, the PCG Western Bohol commander said among the reasons for the exemption are the proximity to safety as with both areas of origin and destination are visible by naked eye, and these are only for trips from sunrise to sunset.
PCG Western Bohol acting Station Commander Lieutenant Junior Grade Romulo Balonga Jr., bared that, they have been waiting for the approval of its request.
PCG Ensign Babe Jocelle Isaga also said the request was sent to the PCG years ago, and they have not received any approval until now.
But then, without showing any signs of let up, Balonga said that are changing their approach for the central headquarters to reconsider especially that President Carlos P. Garcia island is dependent of the mainland for their bulk of supplies, in the absence of large storage areas and stores in the island.
Although still failing to get what they thought should make tourists happy considering that plenty of them have aired frustration over the ruling considering that Loboc River is narrow and the cruise catamaran could easily beach anytime there is trouble.
All the trouble is caused by PCG memorandum Circular 02-13 entitled guidelines of movement of vessels during heavy weather.
The gist of the memorandum is the ban on sailing any type or tonnage of water craft, when the state weather bureau hoists a public storm warning signal within its point of origin, along its route or point of destination.
Moreover, it also said all vessels that are already underway are to seek shelter and that sailing for the purposes of seeking shelter can only be allowed without passengers on board.
This also means that that vessel has to offload all its passengers and may keep the cargo as long as it is securely stashed based on the Maritime Authority of the Philippines guidelines.
The issue becomes relevant as tourists may have been saving for a Loboc river cruise as tour Bohol would not be complete without that.
And then, just as they arrive and are about to go, the state weather bureau issues a storm signal.
“It’s frustrating, what could possibly happen to a boat sailing a few meters from the riverbanks, when elsewhere, the sun is blaring hot, the river normally flowing jade green, and the onboard performers ready to go?” asks a Chinese tourist, who came to Bohol for the countryside tour as sold by travel agents.
Floating restaurant operators share the same sentiment, according to Loboc tourism stakeholders.
With the existing policy for inclement weather however, PCG is expected to hold the river cruise rafts, and tourists, even if it were just a few minutes of cruise.
Until the PGC approves the request to consider Loboc River in its special areas, than the local coast guard can allow the boats to cruise, just like in Iloilo-Guimaras, Caticlan-Boracay, Cebu pier 3 to Lapulapu Osmena port, Mukas to Ozamis, Davao to Samal Island Garden and Sasa Barge wharf to Maewess Babak wharf. (PIAbohol)
