Wooden pump boats plying Iloilo-Guimaras Strait and vice versa resumed their trips today, August 13.
Provincial Government of Guimaras announced that Department of Transportation (DOTr) secretary Arthur Tugade has lifted the suspension of the Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) of all motorboats/motorbancas operating within Iloilo-Guimaras route.
As per Tugade’s directive, the suspension is lifted subject to the following conditions:
1. Fair weather only.
2. 75% passenger capacity.
3. Rolling or removing of tarps.
4. Wearing life vests throughout the voyage.
5. Operation will be from sunrise to sunset only.
6. Motorbancas shall be equipped with distress signals/equipment.
Iloilo-Guimaras pump boat trips were cancelled after 3 motorbancas capsized on August 3, leaving 31 passengers dead.
The cancellation resulted to a transportation nightmare for thousands Guimarasnons who cross the Strait daily for school, work and other transactions.
