MALAY, Aklan – First District Rep. Carlito Marquez urged the House of Representatives to investigate the tragic incident involving a group of paddlers in Boracay Island.
Marquez filed a resolution on Sept. 30 seeking for a public inquiry into the deaths of seven paddlers – four men and three women – while practicing for an international racing competition off the shoreline of Barangay Manoc-Manoc in the island.
Fourteen members of the Boracay Dragonforce survived the ordeal when strong waves capsized their boats around 7:30 a.m. on Sept 25.
The casualties were brought to the Malay Municipal Hospital, Dr. Ciriaco S. Tirol Hospital and Metropolitan Doctors Clinic where they were declared “dead on arrival.”
In House Resolution No. 385, Marquez said “there is a need to educate the member clubs of Philippine Dragon Boat Federation (PDBF) of the proper safety protocols in case of capsizing or sinking of boats.”
PDBF, meanwhile, urged the member clubs to use personal flotation devices during training to avoid fatal incidents.
Natividad Bernardino, general manager of the Boracay Inter-Agency Rehabilitation Management Group, reassessed on Monday the comprehensive emergency response program in the island.
“Nakapagbuo na tayo ng mga rekomendasyon sa pagpapatibay ng safety protocols at pag-aayos din ng emergency response ng lahat ng ahensiya,” Bernandino said.
The local government unit of Malay, water sports associations, lifeguards, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police-Maritime, Department of Tourism and other stakeholders in the island graced the meeting.
“May pagkukulang din ang nasabing dragon boat team sa pagpapatupad ng kanilang safety protocols bilang miyembro ng PDBF. Ang dragon boat activities kasi hindi regulated na water sports ng Malay, walang kaukulang ordinansa dito. Kailangang ma-amyenda ang kasalukuyang municipal ordinance upang masama itong dragon boat activities,” added Bernandino.(With a report from Akean Forum/PN)
