The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) conducted another information awareness campaign on the rights of sea passengers in cases of cancelled, delayed, and/or uncompleted voyages at the Cebu Ports Authority (CPA) in Cebu City today, 05 September 2019.

The campaign, which was formally launched at the Port of Batangas in Batangas City on 11 April 2019, targets to inform sea passengers of their rights, as well as shipping operators of their obligations in cases of trips at sea that cause inconvenience to the riding public. Through the campaign, the MARINA also ensured the protection of sea passengers against inefficient shipping services, as well as for the promotion of their welfare and safety.

Assistant Secretary Kim Raisa Uy of the Office of the Executive Secretary fully supported the campaign, which is line with the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to provide convenience, safety, and security to the riding public. MARINA Deputy Administrator for Operations (DAO) Nannette Villamor – Dinopol graced the campaign where she emphasized the importance of awareness of sea passengers on their rights.

“Now that we are on the first ‘ber’ month which signals the start of the Christmas season in the country, we replicated the campaign in Luzon here in Visayas, and next month in Mindanao – for we believe that a nationwide approach to information dissemination yields better and more meaningful impact to our stakeholders,” DAO Villamor-Dinopol said.

For his part, Mr. Alexander Cohon of the Philippine Coastwise Shipping Association (PCSA) expressed their support to the initiatives of the government in uplifting the welfare and safety of the sea passengers. “It is with gratitude that we accept the challenge of MARINA to offer more comfortable and more convenient transportation services to the riding public. Together with the shipping operators of Cebu, we commit to work hand-in-hand with the government to uphold the rights of our sea passengers in cases of cancelled, delayed, and/or uncompleted voyages,” Cohon said.

Participating government agencies included the Office of the Executive Secretary under the Office of the President, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) – Cebu, Philippine National Police Maritime Group (PNP-MG) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) – Cebu. Private stakeholders including the Philippine Coastwise Shipping Association (PCSA), Lite Shipping Corporation, Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corporation, Roble Shipping Incorporated, and Asian Marine Transport Corporation also supported the activity.

Rights of Sea Passengers Under the campaign, the MARINA emphasizes that sea passengers of a cancelled or delayed voyage have the right to information, as well as the right to refund or right to revalidation of their tickets. If the sea passengers choose to revalidate their tickets, they may also avail of the right to amenities such as snacks or meals and free accommodation if deemed necessary, while waiting for their rescheduled trip.

The MARINA also clarifies that the right to compensation of sea passengers for a cancelled or delayed voyage applies only if the free accommodation is not practicable for the shipping operator. Meanwhile, sea passengers of an uncompleted voyage have the right to information, right to amenities, right to compensation, as well as the right to be transported to their destination. The MARINA notes that the rights of sea passengers are absolutely applicable only if the causes of cancelled, delayed, or uncompleted voyage are attributable to the shipping operator.

The riding public is encouraged to read the MARINA Circular 2018-07 for the terms and conditions of the rights of sea passengers that may be accessed at the official MARINA website (marina.gov.ph). Passengers are also encouraged to report non-compliance of shipping operators by filing a complaint through these contact details: 0995 400 7336 or +632 521 804.