GMA berates PCG chief

MANILA, Philippines – President Arroyo’s temper flared up yesterday while questioning Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) chief Vice Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo on why the passenger ferry M/V Princess of the Stars was allowed to sail from Manila despite the onslaught of typhoon “Frank.”

The ship sank off Romblon at the height of the typhoon that has so far a death toll of over 80 people, but which is expected to rise as more than 700 passengers were still unaccounted for as of last night.

“After asking ‘when’ several times, and Tamayo could not provide her with the answer that she wanted, the President lost her cool,” an official said.

Tamayo explained that the ship was allowed to proceed with its voyage Friday as the situation was still all right for a vessel of such size to sail.

But the weather bureau issued a new warning at around 11 p.m., prompting the PCG to issue an advisory for all vessels to immediately proceed to safer areas.

Mrs. Arroyo, who is in the United States, however, misunderstood Tamayo’s explanation due to bad telephone connection that she became agitated and raised her voice.

When the communication lines became clear and Tamayo’s explanations were heard, the President calmed down and directed concerned agencies to study the possibility of revising maritime safety regulations.

The Chief Executive was then given a briefing through a teleconference on the impact of Frank.

Members of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), meeting at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, briefed her.

The Coast Guard said the ship did not violate any of the guidelines as it was allowed to travel Friday night before storm signal No. 3 was raised over Metro Manila.

Tamayo pointed out that the ship most likely encountered engine trouble and was left adrift at the height of the typhoon, during which it was hit by strong waves.

The President argued that the ship should have been issued a warning about the path of the storm and it could have sought shelter at the Batangas ports.

Tamayo said that a review of the guidelines, crafted in 1998, is necessary to prevent similar accident from happening in the future.

The President left for the United States Friday night when the storm had yet to hit Metro Manila.

She gave instructions to various government agencies on typhoon Frank.

In Fresno, California, the President ordered an immediate rescue and relief effort for victims of typhoon Frank and a review of safety regulations.

Mrs. Arroyo issued the directives shortly after arriving in San Francisco at around 7:20 p.m. Saturday (10:20 a.m. Sunday Manila time) and proceeding to the Fairmont Hotel where she was billeted.

From her suite, she led a teleconference with Cabinet officials and members of the NDCC.

Present during the teleconference in Mrs. Arroyo’s suite were Press Secretary Jesus Dureza, Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr., Trade Secretary Peter Favila and Bacolod City Rep. Monico Puentevella.

“The President is so concerned about the situation there,” Dureza told reporters. “Immediately upon landing here in San Francisco, she immediately called and reconvened the NDCC to be able to be personally informed about the situation there so the NDCC convened at Camp Aguinaldo and all the action officers and the Cabinet members assigned gave her all the updates.”

Another teleconference is set today at about 4 a.m., from Fresno, Dureza said.

He said Mrs. Arroyo directed Tamayo to concentrate on their rescue efforts and told officials in Manila to provide her regular updates on the typhoon.

She said they could call her anytime in case of significant developments.

The President also ordered the setting up of a logistics center in Cebu where relief goods and other rescue materials could be brought.

The Department of Agriculture reported about 260,000 hectares of agricultural lands were damaged and she has instructed the agency “to undertake continuous and upscaling of distribution of assistance to agricultural communities.”

Mrs. Arroyo also directed Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes to immediately restore power in brownout-hit areas.

Dureza said that while the President was “very concerned” over the situation back home, she would not cut short here 10-day trip in the US where she is scheduled to meet with US President George W. Bush and hold separate talks with Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate John McCain.

He said Vice President Noli de Castro, during the teleconference, assured her that all agencies are working full time to address the situation.

“She is confident that the machinery of government responds adequately, and that she is on top of the situation even if she is physically here,” Dureza said. – With Paolo Romero