Arroyo urged to lift suspension of Sulpicio shipping operations

MANILA, Philippines - Shipping and roll on-roll off (Roro) operators asked President Arroyo Thursday to lift an indefinite suspension of operation of Sulpicio Lines Inc., owner of the capsized MV Princess of the Stars. In an open letter published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, marine transport groups claimed the suspension has impacted on passengers and the cargo industry. "The suspension of operations of all Sulpicio Lines Inc. passenger/cargo ferry vessels may have seemed to suppress the grief (due to tragedy) but consequently it is taking its toll on the industry…," they said. They warned the ban might "…backfire on numerous medium to smaller shipping companies serving the inter-island feeder routes." They asked Arroyo to "recall the suspension order on ferry operations of Sulpicio Lines Inc. soonest," adding that the transport backlog would multiply and affect the national economy. The groups also warned government takeover of Sulpicio, saying the move might violate the Constitution. Signing the letter were the Philippine Roro Shipping Association Inc., United Trampers Association of the Philippines, and the Visayan Association of Ferryboat and Coastwise Service Operators. The government suspended Sulpicio's operations after the Princess of the Stars capsized off Romblon at the height of typhoon "Frank" last June 21. Sulpicio vessels, however, had already undergone re-inspections and resurveying by the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina). As of now, operators said, "there appears to be no further legal and factual bases to suspend the shipping line’s operations indefinitely and aggravate the economic adversities in the shipping sector." "Certainly the sinking of the MV Princess of the Stars as tragic as it is does not qualify to be such a national emergency. Furthermore the said takeover power can be exercised only if congress grants emergency powers," they said. - GMANews.TV