Shipping firm vows transport, burial assistance for Coron ship fire victims

The shipping company of the ill-fated ferry that caught fire off Coron, Palawan said Thursday it would provide burial and transportation assistance to the victims of the sea tragedy that has left at least five dead and dozens missing.

"Sasagutin ng company 'yung transportation ng lahat... Sa nasawi, we are going to provide burial assistance as well," said human resources generalist Dindo Macalinao, who spoke on behalf of Atienza Interisland Ferries Inc.

(The company will shoulder the transporation of everyone... we are going to provide burial assistance as well to those who died.)

Macalinao said the company is also extending immediate aid to survivors, including food, clothing, slippers and other basic necessities.

Atienza Interisland Ferries, however, has yet to issue a final official statement on the incident as the investigation by its team and authorities is still ongoing.

Macalinao said the company is prepared to cooperate fully with the investigation and support the affected passengers and crew.

He said the vessel's captain was among the survivors. The company is still trying to speak with the captain, Macalinao said, who is reportedly recovering from trauma of the incident.

The ferry had 17 crew members, according to the company.

Macalinao said he still needs to verify the final passenger manifest after reports indicated that 117 passengers were aboard the vessel.

Authorities reported five fatalities and 43 survivors, while 86 people remain potentially missing based on the vessel's manifest.

Citing the account of a surviving crew member, the Philippine Coast Guard said the fire started from the ship's cargo hold. — VDV, GMA News