DOTC to ships: Mandatory sale of additional passenger insurance not allowed

With travel season hitting its stride this summer, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) on Thursday reminded shipping operators that requiring passengers to pay additional insurance is not allowed. In a post on its Twitter account, the DOTC said the Maritime Industry Authority already issued an advisory in 2009 against such additional passenger insurance. "Please be informed that the practice of selling additional pax insurance to boat-riding [passengers] by domestic shipping companies/operators is PROHIBITED," it said. The DOTC also posted a copy of MARINA officer-in-charge Nicasio Conti's letter from March 15 on the matter. Conti, in his letter, said he received a letter-complaint from a concerned senior citizen of Romblon last Feb. 4, saying that passengers at Odiongan port in Romblon were required to pay additional passenger insurance. He said MARINA already issued Advisory 2009-13 on May 26, 2009, addressed to all domestic shipping companies, ship owners and operators, "that mandatory sale of additional passenger insurance is prohibited." "In view thereof may we respecfully request for your utmost assistance to call the attention of your member companies on this concern," Conti said. — BM, GMA News