6 Iloilo-Guimaras fiber boats halt trips over expired documents

By Mariela Angella Oladive

ILOILO CITY – Six fiber boats serving the Iloilo-Guimaras route have temporarily stopped operating because of expired documents and other pending compliance requirements, reducing the number of vessels available to ferry passengers across the strait.

All six are operated by the Guimaras Island Transport Multipurpose Cooperative, which has 11 units serving the Jordan route. Five remain in service.

The temporary pullout has lengthened waiting times at some ports, particularly on Mondays and Fridays, when passenger traffic is heavier.

Guimaras has no bridge to the mainland, and the short sea crossing to Iloilo City is the island province’s only practical link for commuters, students, workers, and traders who make the trip daily.

Nicole Marie Amuan-Arpa, legal officer of the Maritime Industry Authority Region 6, said in a radio interview that the affected vessels had expired requirements covering the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, safety management, and safety inspections, including the annual inspection.

The expirations began in July and continued in succession over the following weeks, she said.

Some of the affected vessels are also scheduled for dry-docking.

To address the reduced vessel capacity, MARINA 6 met with the Jordan local government and the provincial government of Guimaras on Aug. 18 to discuss measures to keep passenger services running.

One measure agreed upon was the possible addition of vessels and operators on the route.

A larger vessel from JITMC was deployed beginning Aug. 19 to augment the existing fleet.

That vessel was allowed to operate temporarily under an interim certificate while it completes its remaining compliance requirements.

Other operators, including 3S Marine Transport Services Corp. and Buenavista and Jordan Ferry, continue to serve the route.

Regulators have held a tight line on small-vessel documentation in the strait since August 2019, when three motorboats capsized in rough water during a single afternoon, killing 31 people and prompting a sweeping review of safety standards for the small craft that carry most of the route’s passengers.

Arpa said MARINA gives operators a three-month lead time before their documents expire so they can process renewals and comply with technical requirements.

Processing with MARINA takes about three to four days once all requirements are complete.

Completing the technical and other compliance requirements, however, can take considerably longer.

MARINA reminded operators not to wait until their documents expire before starting the renewal process.

The agency said early compliance is necessary to prevent interruptions in vessel operations and avoid a shortage of available boats on the route.

MARINA 6 said it continues to coordinate with local government units on contingency measures to minimize the impact of the reduced vessel availability on passengers.