DOTr Chief Orders Probe of Mercraft 3 Sinking, Wants Safety Measures Implemented

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade today directed maritime authorities to swiftly probe the sea mishap involving MV Mercraft 3 which sank between the waters of Quezon and Polilio Island last 21 December 2017.

Secretary Tugade likewise instructed Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to implement measures to prevent similar incidents.

"We want this latest incident of sea mishap be investigated on as quickly as soon as possible so we can immediately implement safety nets and preventive measures. Ensuring the safety and security of travellers must be our priority," Secretary Tugade said.

Based on initial reports from MARINA, the vessel sank due to heavy rains and strong winds caused by the bad weather.

Meanwhile, PCG Commodore Joel Garcia said that there was no overloading of the capsized vessel, which has an authorized capacity of 286 passengers. There were 251 passengers and seven crew members were on board the vessel when it sank.

Of the 251 passengers, 243 survived the incident, and were immediately brought to the Barangay Dinahican Village Hall in Quezon for immediate medical attention.

Six bodies were retrieved, while three remained unidentified as of this writing. The cadavers are currently kept at the Claro M. Recto Memorial District Hospital in Infanta, Quezon. Three more passengers are still missing.

Garcia noted that there was no breach of PCG circulars or protocol.

"There was no typhoon signal issued by Pagasa that may prompt d PCG to hold the departure of the vessel; the sea was moderately calm when the vessel left the port," he said.

For his part, MARINA Administrator Al Amaro said that MARINA will facilitate immediate determination of the cause of accident, in order to passenger safety while on sea travel, land to prevent similar incidents to happen in the future.

”Investigators coming from our Enforcement Service based in MARINA central office were dispatched to conduct in-depth investigation to determine the root causes of the accident so we can prevent the same to happen in the future. We follow the international maritime accident investigation model— one that is done without prejudice, does not apportion blame, and does not establish liability. This investigation does not establish legal or economic liability,” Amaro added.

Administrator Amaro likewise mentioned that burial assistance and hospital bills were already shouldered by the MV Mercraft 3 owner, on top of the insurance claim of the victims.

"The company is new and in fact they are the ones who immediately complied with our campaign to modernize their vessel in view of our rules to phase out wooden hulled boats," Administrator Amaro said.

Maritime authorities are set to come up with recommendations as soon as the ongoing investigation wraps up.

Safe Spaces On Giving Free Condoms with Lube Launched

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There’s nothing wrong in protecting one’s self, more so in using condoms with lube during sexual activities. This is what LoveYourself, an HIV prevention advocacy group, reiterates over and over again.

Yet, the usage of condoms with water-based lubricants as protection against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remains a taboo among many Filipinos, even to populations most at-risk to these sexual health concerns.

“The government offers condoms for free not just as contraceptive, but more importantly as a protection against contracting HIV and STIs. We just have to mobilize its distribution to ensure that we really target and reach the right market or people,” LoveYourself Executive Director Ronivin G. Pagtakhan emphasized.

Pagtakhan pointed out that “Correct and consistent use of condoms with water-based lubricants remain the most effective method in preventing the spread of HIV, but accessibility and people wanting to have access to these services is still a huge challenge.”

“A sizable number of condoms procured by the government are largely unknown and untapped by the public, hence sometimes these were put to waste unused,” he added.

Safe Spaces Official Logo

Thus, LoveYourself in partnership with Save the Children introduces on Friday (22 December) the Safe Spaces PH at Greenbelt’s My Cinema in Makati City through an adult education dialogue to bring in the idea of a sustainable condom distribution supply chain that is backed-up by technology for public discussion.

Safe Space PH will be partnering with non-discriminatory and sex-positive establishments to serve as “Depots” or safe spaces where a condiment station, a receptacle where condoms with water-based lubricants are dispensed, is installed.

Safe Spaces also ensures seamless supply of condoms for distribution on these Depots.

It will also entail a heavy digital campaign for smart selling of the Depots and the program at large. In addition, Safe Space App is available on Google Play store and App Store to provide a snappy service, especially for the target population such as the youth and men-having-sex-with-men.

The Safe Space PH is a holistic solution to the barriers on active utilization of free condoms by the people.

An actual interface of the Safe Spaces App showing the location of Depots and its details.

These barriers include people’s averse to avail free condoms from the health centers or any designated areas where it is available; at times, insufficiency of condom supply on these designated areas; many people do not know that government-subsidized condoms are given for free; and many people do not know where to get these free condoms.

LoveYourself also encourages the public to visit its two clinics, which are also safe spaces not just for free and confidential HIV screening, but for free condom with water-based lubricants as well. These are LoveYourself Anglo along Shaw and LoveYourself Uni in Taft-Buendia. Both clinics are open every Wednesdays to Saturdays from 12:00 nn -7:00 p.m., and Sundays at 9:00 a.m.-2:00p.m.

For more details on #SafeSpacesPH and other LoveYourself’s services, individuals may visit the safe spaces page at www.safespaces.ph and the group’s official website at www.loveyourself.ph or follow and like its social media channels: Facebook- @loveyourself.ph, Twitter- @loveyourselfph, and Instagram- @loveyourself.ph.

DOE, Energy Team on Heightened Alert vs 'Vinta'

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Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi today directed the energy family to observe energy resiliency measures to combat the adverse effects of Severe Tropical Storm (STS) Vinta (international name: Tembin).

“The DOE assures the public that the energy family will work together on a 24/7 basis to immediately secure and normalize the energy supply in the STS Vinta-affected areas,” Cusi concluded.

According to the weather bureau PAGASA, the maximum sustained winds of STS Vinta reach 65 kilometers/hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 110 kph. The center of the storm has traversed the vicinity of Marawi City in Lanao del Sur, compromising power facilities in the franchise areas of electric cooperatives in nearby provinces.

“We are coordinating with electric cooperatives and other energy stakeholders in the affected areas through the Inter-Agency Task Force on Securing Energy Facilities (IATFSEF). We continuously monitor developments and reports so that we can mobilize our assets to assist the most affected households and stakeholders in the storm-hit areas,” Cusi said.

For the transmission sector, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines reported that the affected energy facilities are as follows:

1. Paranas-Quinapondan 69kV Line, which was out at 10:49 p.m. of 22 Dec. affecting Eastern Samar Electric Cooperative (ESAMELCO);

2. San Francisco-Tandag 69kV Line, which was out at 6:19 p.m. of 21 December affecting Surigao del Sur II Electric Cooperative (SURSECO II);

3. Bislig-Cateel-Baganga 69kV Line, which was out at 1:28 a.m. of 22 December affecting Davao Oriental Electric Cooperative (DORECO);

4. Jasaan-Kinoguitan 69kV Line, was out at 4:06 a.m. of 22 December but with atrial restoration at 5:23 a.m. The transmission line affected Camiguin Electric Cooperative Incorporated (CAMELCO) and Misamis Oriental II Electric Service Cooperative (MORESCO II);

5. Balo-i-Marawi 69kV Line, which was out at 5:02 a.m. of 22 December affecting Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative (LASURECO);

6. Agus6-Kauswagan 69kV Line, which was out 7:31 a.m. of 22 December affecting Lanao del Norte Electric Cooperative (LANECO);

7. Agus 6-Mapalad 69kV Line, which was out 10:18 p.m. of 22 December 2017 affecting Iligan Light & Power Inc.

According to the NGCP, the inspection and restoration of the affected lines will be in full swing as soon as the weather allows.

For the distribution sector, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) reported that the LASURECO franchise area is in total blackout due to heavy rains and strong winds brought about by TS Vinta. Initial reports showed that electric lines and steel poles were toppled down in some areas in MSU Barrio Salam, MSU Fisheries, Municipality of Marantao in Lanao del Sur and Municipality of Baloi in Lanao del Norte. Meanwhile, a Quick Response Team is now doing all the clearing in the affected areas.

In Agusan del Sur Electric Cooperative (ASELCO), only 1 feeder tripped in Trento substation due to a tree leaning on the line. There are also occurrences of minor trippings on the lateral lines and sitios in Veruela area.

Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative (DANECO), particularly the areas in Compostela Valley, are experiencing heavy downpour. Only the towns of Montevista, Nabunturan and Mawab are energized, while the rest are still experiencing trippings. The Municipality of Laak and Asuncion are experiencing power outage but linemen and crew were already dispatched to patrol the lines.

For the downstream oil industry sector, the DOE is closely coordinating with industry players on the ground for updates and reports on matters affecting petroleum products.

The DOE’s line is open for any energy related concern, just contact the Consumer Welfare and Promotion Office at tel. no. ‎‎‎429 2900 local 329 or email them at info@doe.gov.ph.