Starting August 13, motorbanca operators in Cebu have to get passenger safety certificates for accreditation to service passengers for the duration of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings.
“We are trying to curtail this number to ensure the safety of passengers, especially of APEC delegates, said Engr. Jesus Quiño, Marina-7 development specialist.
APEC delegates will board motorbancas during their island-hopping tours with the Department of Tourism in Bohol and Siquijor.
Motorbancas will be reinspected by the Coast Guard and DOT before the list is given to all 3,000 delegates during the APEC meetings.
“We really have to monitor our motorbancas, because these boats are very prone to seafaring accidents.,” said Coast guard Cebu Commander Weniel Azcuna.
On Sept. 4, five days before the APEC meetings in Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa, 600 yards of the resort’s coastline will be designated a “no-sail zone.”
Fishermen and other boats will be guided away from the area.
The ban will end on Sept. 11, two days after the APEC events in Shangri-La.
“We will send notices to mariners this week, and will be holding dialogues with fishermen so they will be aware of the no-sail zone,” Azcuna said./UP Cebu Intern Juli Ann M. Sibi
Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Cebudailynews. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.
