All 11 passengers rescued after boat capsizes off Bago City

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Eleven passengers were rescued after their boat capsized in the waters between Bago City, Negros Occidental and Guimaras Island on Friday.

The passengers had departed from Bantayan Park in Bago City en route to San Lorenzo, Guimaras to attend the burial of a family member when their motorbanca, an outrigger passenger boat, encountered strong sea currents and capsized in the waters off Barangay Calumangan, Bago City.

The Bago City–Guimaras crossing is a common short-haul passenger route, and the waters off western Negros Occidental are known for strong currents, particularly during shifts in seasonal winds.

The Coast Guard Sub-Station Pulupandan responded and coordinated with two motorbancas from community support partners in Bago City and Pulupandan, followed by tugboats, for the search-and-rescue operation.

Six survivors were transported to Bantayan Park aboard a motorbanca and were provided immediate assistance by the Philippine Red Cross Negros Occidental–Bacolod City Chapter.

The remaining five survivors disembarked at Bredco Port here aboard a tugboat, where they were assisted and brought to a hospital for further medical assessment.

The Coast Guard confirmed that all passengers were safe and well.

In a radio interview, a boat crew member said the boat’s outrigger booms, locally called “tarik,” broke off, causing the vessel to capsize.

Bago City Mayor Marina Javellana-Yao thanked the responders and volunteers for their courage, rapid response, and commitment to saving lives during the emergency.