By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz
MANILA – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has begun investigating the alleged overloading incident involving a roll-on, roll-off (RoRo) vessel at the Batangas Port.
In a situation report on Tuesday, the PCG said the concerned vessel departed from the Batangas Port going to the Port of Odiongan in Romblon while carrying 942 passengers and 29 vehicles at about 5 p.m. on Sunday.
The RoRo’s maximum passenger capacity is 1,000 individuals.
However, more than 100 passengers were left behind after the shipping line reportedly sold tickets beyond the ship’s capacity.
“The PCG coordinated with the concerned shipping company and was informed that the additional vessel that was supposed to be deployed was still undergoing drydock for repairs,” it said.
Based on the initial investigation by the PCG District Southern Tagalog, the passengers were stranded at the Batangas Port as they reached the cut-off time of the ticketing system.
“The concerned shipping company explained that the affected passengers were not able to purchase tickets and board the vessel as its capacity was already attained,” it said.
The PCG said the stranded passengers were prioritized during the issuance of tickets on the next scheduled trip at about 5 p.m. on Monday.
The shipping line, meanwhile, maintained that there were no instances of overloading during the trip.
“We would like to inform you that all passengers who boarded our Batangas-Odiongan trip on April 13, 2025, were ticketed passengers. We confirm that no ticketed passengers were left behind and there were no instances of overloading during the trip,” it said in a statement on Tuesday.
Department of Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon earlier ordered an investigation into the incident and demanded that compensation be made to affected passengers.
He emphasized that passenger safety cannot be compromised, adding that shipping lines would be held responsible if they are found to have sold more tickets than their capacity. (PNA)
