The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), the Philippines maritime regulatory arm, reported it has completed Intensified Compliance Inspection on 132 vessels as of October 12 this year in preparation for the high passenger season this coming All Saints and All Souls Day (Undas) celebration.
The intensified safety inspection started last October 6 up to October 17 this year. A total of 14 teams from Luzon and Mindanao conducted simultaneous inspection aboard domestic shipping lines.
MARINA Administrator Sonia Malaluan said the inspection is part of ongoing efforts to ensure safety of sea travel in the country under its program “Ligtas Biyaheng Dagat.”
This is also in line with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. through Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez to ensure the safety of Filipinos, who will be going home to the provinces by sea for the upcoming Undas celebration.
Malaluan stressed it is important to ensure the seaworthiness of all vessels at all times, not just for the “Undas” season.
The nationwide inspection is aimed at strengthening the culture of safe sea travel for every passenger, she said.
