Taclobanons appeal for vessels’ removal

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines—  The residents of barangays in Anibong and Rawis districts of this city are calling on authorities and the owners to remove from their area the eight sea vessels swept inland by the onslaught of typhoon Yolanda last Nov. 8.

Shirley Boca, 33, chairwoman of Barangay 70 of Rawis district, said these vessels sitting right inside her barangay are obstructions, hindering the removal and cleaning of the debris as well as in restoring the devastated coastal areas.

Boca said her constituents have been complaining of the continued presence of these vessels, two of which have blocked the road leading to the oil depot situated near her barangay.

Patrocino Artiaga, 56, a former chairman of Barangay 69, also in Rawis district, said they have been "imprisoned" by these cargo vessels, which are blocking both sides of the road. Our way out is only through a path by scaling first a huge pile of debris, he said, adding that no vehicle can enter the place because of the blockade.

Artiaga told The Freeman that the northern side of the road is blocked by M/V Star Hilongos, while the southern portion is blocked by LCT Rosman.

Lieutenant Jr. Grade Paul Ryan Gonzales, station commander of the Philippine Coast Guard in this city, in a cell phone interview said his office has already coordinated with the owners and appealed to them "to fast track the removal of their sea crafts from the area."

Gonzales said there are a total of 11 vessels blown inland by the tsunami-like storm surge at the height of Yolanda. Besides the eight vessels stuck in Rawis and Anibong, one in Barangay Diit, one near the San Juanico Bridge and another, a dredger of the DPWH, in Brgy. 75 of Fatima Village.

Gonzales identified the stuck vessels as follows: M/V Eva Jocelyn of Eva Shipping Lines; M/V Lancer of Matsya Shipping Lines; M/V Tom Elegance and M/V Jaguar of Tacloban Oil Mills Inc.; M/V Gayle of Unilink Shipping Lines; M/V Star Hilongos of Roble Shipping Lines, Inc.; M/V David of Cadano Shipping Lines, Inc.; M/V Ligaya V of Avega Brothers Integrated Shipping Corporation; M/V RKK Uno of RKK Shipping Lines, Inc.; LCT Rosman of Richmund Ng; and the dredger of the DPWH.  (FREEMAN)