Baltazar Tribunalo, head of Cebu province’s disaster management office, said the sea mishap off Ormoc City have been caused by a combination of human error and overloading.
“There was overloading of both the passengers and cargo,” he said, when the boat veered sharply to the right to head for Pilar soon after leaving the port, and encountered big waves.
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Based on accounts of some survivors, Tribunalo said at least four unlisted passengers boarded the boat shortly before it left Ormoc. The manifest listed only 173 passengers. The Coast Guard earlier said the vessel could accomodate 178 people.
The two-deck motorized boat with outrigger was carrying sacks of rice and cement at the time.
“Siyempre ang design sa motorboat nga mubo og katig unya dos andanas, pag-maneuver niya matikyaob gyod (The boat’s design has a short outrigger and when it maneuvered, it overturned.) ” said Tribunalo.
The boat’s skipper, Warren Oliverio survived.
Most of the fatalities came from Pilar with a few from neighboring towns like Tudela. One fatality came from Ormoc City.
The ill-fated boat was one of two boats owned by businessman Jorge “Bong” Zarco of Lower Poblacion, Pilar, Camotes. The first is M/B Kim Nirvana-A, which has been serving the Pilar-Ormoc route for three years.
Pilar Mayor Jesus Fernandez said Zarco is a businessman of good standing. He acquired the boat only three months ago. Zarco was reportedly spotted on the boat at the time of the accident.
“Somebody saw him on the boat. He usually rides in his boats,” Fernandez said.
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FATALITIES
Among the fatalities were Sonia Moreno, principal of Pilar National High School, and Vanessa Borinaga, a teacher of Don Filomeno Memorial National High School.
The teachers had just received their Priority Enhancement Incentives (PEI), went to Ormoc to buy some supplies with the bonus.
Ormoc City is less than an hour away from Camotes Island, a shorter hop than going to Danao City in Cebu mainland more than two hours away. From Danao, Camotes residents need to travel on the road at least another hour to get to Cebu City.
Another fatality was Galano, the mayor’s cousin and secretary, who went on leave to finalize a transaction in Ormoc.
Two persons were mistakenly listed among the fatalities.
Pilar Federicos and Catherine Joyce Degomo were found recuperating in a hospital in Ormoc city. Teir relatives informed themayor.
Around 100 relatives of victims were waiting yesterday to sail to Ormoc.
The Pilar municipal council will request the Maritime Industry Authority to allow a pump boat, Junmar 2, to temporarily change its route to Pilar-Ormoc from the current Pilar-Danao.
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