The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) registered a total of 21 motorized boats and 308 boat captains and operators in Balabac town as part of the initiative to ensure the safety and security of tourists catered by these boats-for-hire.
The activity was conducted for three days last week and was supported by the Provincial Government of Palawan and the municipal government of Balabac.
Liezl Ogdamin of the Provincial Tourism Promotions and Development Department (PTPDD) said that all boats and operators, especially those catering tourists, should be registered and must secure licenses from MARINA.
“Gusto kasi natin ay safety and security ng tourists natin. Kapag ang isang bangka ay rehistrado ng MARINA tapos kukuha sila ng certificate of franchise, niri-require sila [na] kailangan may insurance ang bawat pasahero ng kanilang bangka,” said Ogdamin.
Aside from the mobile registration, the special modified basic safety training with typhoon awareness was also conducted to train and equip the boat operators and boat captains to improve their safety awareness and services to the tourists.
MARINA, headed by Engr. Petronilo Roche, said that they are willing to work hand in hand with the provincial government in its campaign to ensure the tourists’ safety by helping register tourist boats and its operators.