PH Coast Guard monitors boats bound for Talim Island

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has been monitoring the operation of boats bound for Talim Island following a maritime incident in July this year that claimed the lives of 27 people.

According to Emil Sumangil’s report on “24 Oras” on Thursday, the PCG and the local government of Binangonan, Rizal have imposed stricter protocols for the boat operations.

“Nagbibigay na tayo ng tamang bilang ng pasahero, at siyempre, inobliga natin silang mag suot life jacket,” said Binangonan Councilor Boy Cequeno.

(We do not allow overloading and provide life jackets.)

PCG Rizal Coast Guard Station Commander Lieutenant JG Alvin Austria also said they have deployed additional personnel in the area.

"Hiniwalay na rin natin yung large scale cargo nila. Dinagdagan natin yung mga naka duty, para 24/7 para may nakabantay to ensure na naupatutuoad ang safety inspection bago umalis,” Austria said.

(We separated the large-scale cargoes and deployed additional personnel who would conduct safety inspections before the boats sailed.)

The ill-fated M/B Princess Aya capsized in Laguna Lake near Binangonan town last month,  leaving 27 people dead. A total of 40 individuals survived.

Initial investigation showed the boat left the Port of Binangonan and was en route to Talim Island when it was hit by strong winds 45 meters from land.

The strong winds allegedly caused panic among the passengers who then moved to the left side of the vessel causing it to tilt and capsize.

The PCG previously said it is eyeing to wrap up its investigation and file charges against individuals involved in the tragic incident.

Flood hits Marikina

Meanwhile, the local government of Marikina City raised the level of Marikina River to first alarm due to the heavy rains brought by the inclement weather.

“Kalahati ng volume ng tubig ng Ondoy bingasak kanina madaling araw. Yung tubig, hindi dito sa Marikina bumagsak, upstream area eh,” said Mayor Marcy Teodoro.

(Half of the volume of the rains during Ondoy were dumped overnight. The water did not land here in Marikina but in upstream areas.)

“Based on our computation 6 or 7 , bababa yan dito sa Marikina River. Kaya as early as 4, sinabihan namin sila,” he said.

(Based on our computation, it would cascade by 6 or 7, so we are informing the public as early as 4.)

State weather bureau PAGASA said Severe Tropical Storm Hanna continued to accelerate as it moved westward over the Philippine Sea on Thursday.

As of 4 p.m., the tropical cyclone was seen 1,035 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 110 kph and gustiness of 135 kph.

No storm signal was raised over any portion of the country but Hanna, along with Super Typhoon Saola (formerly Goring) which is already outside the PAR, and Severe Tropical Storm Kirogi which is still outside, will enhance the Southwest Monsoon.

The Southwest Monsoon is forecast to bring occasional monsoon rains over western Luzon in the next three days, according to PAGASA.—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News