POLILIO, Quezon – Authorities said all 67 passengers of Motorbanca Jovelle Express 3 are safe after they were rescued from the half-submerged boat off the waters of Sitio Macnit, Barangay Languyin in Polilio, Quezon province.
Rhoniel Pamatian, Patnanungan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer (MDRRMO), said the boat was heading for Real, Quezon when its front part was punctured, forcing them to stop in Polillo Island.
“May biyahe naman mula Patnanungan hanggang Real. Nagkataon lang na nabutas ‘yung bangka kaya napadpad sila ng Polillo,” Pamatian said.
The boat was en route Real, Quezon around 10 a.m. when it met strong waves causing a piece of wood to hit and pierce the watercraft.
“Around 12:30 p.m. may tumawag sa aming opisina para i-report na ‘yung bangka ay lumulubog na. Agad namang may rumisponde, at may mga cargo na bangka na nandoon at nagrescue,” Pamatian added.
Authorities from the MDRRMO and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) including residents from a nearby barangay in Polilio lent their assistance to the passengers.
Passengers were then brought in Polillo where they received hot meals from the Municipal Government.
“Nakipag-coordinate [kami] sa Polilio LGU to cater ‘yung mga pagkain [at] pansamantalang tutulugan habang nandoon sila,” Pamatian said.
“Wala namang nasaktan halos, so walang medikal na atensyon na naibigay sa [mga pasahero]. Mga pagkain at pansamantalang damit ang ibinigay [ng lokal na pamahalaan],” he added.
The boat was allowed to sail on August 3 amid good weather forecast from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.
“Noong August 3, walang inilabas na gale warning ang PAGASA kaya nagpabiyahe ang Philippine Coast Guard ng mga bangka. Medyo may alon, pero sa tingin naman ng PCG ay kayang [maglayag dahil dito] pinahintulutan na maglayag ‘yung bangka,” said Pamatian.
The boat incident in Quezon came a week after the tragic incident in Binangonan, Rizal province where MB Princess Aya capsized resulting in the death of 27 passengers. (PB with reports from PIA Quezon)
