Press Release - TOL reminds ship owners to observe rights of sea vessel passengers

As the exodus from the cities to the provinces begins in preparation for All Saints' Day and amid the presence of typhoon Leon in the country, Senate Majority Leader Francis 'Tol' Tolentino gently reminded sea vessel owners and operators to observe the rights of their passengers - including the provision of snacks and meals to the latter in case of delayed voyages.

Tolentino said that under Marina Circular No. 2018-07 of the Maritime industry Authority, which outlines "the rights of passengers and obligations of domestic passengers in cases of canceled, delayed or unfinished/uncompleted voyages," ship owners and operators are mandated to provide, free of charge, to their passengers the following amenities in case of delayed voyages: snacks or refreshments, or meals during meal time; free access to medicine or first aid, if necessary; and free access to communication facilities or services, if necessary.

The senator made the statement in reaction to reports that personnel of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) would sometimes pool their personal money just to provide meals for passengers stranded in their ports when ships are prevented from traveling, sometimes for days, due to inclement weather.

"While this initiative by the PPA employees is laudable, I think all sectors must be reminded that the primary responsibility to provide meals to ship passengers in case of delays falls on the ship owners. That is clearly outlined in Marina Circular No. 2018-07," Tolentino said.

In an interview on the senator's regular radio program, 'Usapang Tol,' Eunice Samonte, PPA spokesperson, shared that the agency's employees do sometimes spend their own money to buy meals and snacks for stranded passengers.

Samonte agreed with Tolentino's observation that sea vessel passengers mostly come from the lower income segments of the population, and would often have no means to provide for their own meals and personal needs in case their travel is delayed.

"The amount of money they have is often just enough for their travel fare. They have no contingency in case of delays," said the senator.

But Tolentino noted that nothing prevents PPA, the local government concerned, and ship owners