PANGLAO.- Philippine Coast Guard here seized some 10 motorized bancas, mostly for ferrying tourists of this town, for they are considered colorum or having no registration with proper agency.

The pumpboats impounded at K of C, barangay Poblacion II, Tagbilaran City are the following: two (2) MBCA Isola de Francisco shuttle, MBCA Ethel, MBCA Lyntings, MBCA Playa Balnca de Asteria, Racel 1, Sand Dollar 1, Island Princess and one with no name.

But the Coast Guard, who provided the said names of the vessels held, did not have a list of pumpboat owners. One of the officemates said that it could be that their counterpart in Panglao had the said list.

It appears that the drive against unregistered motorized boats for tourists has recently been intensified following the deadly accident involving a foreigner who died after hit by a speedboat and his companion wounded.

The duo, together with their dive masters, were training in scuba dive in a shallow water off here when the accident happened.

Coastal and tourism officer Darwin Menorias of this town told the committee investigating the accident that half of some 100 motorboats operating here “are colorums.” They are mostly anchored off barangays Danao, Tawala, Libaong, Poblacion, Doljo and Bolod of this town.

He said that these colorums, also referred to as “habal-habal” pumpboats transporting passengers to island hopping of diving collect lower rates than those registered ones. They “remain rampant despite efforts of the local government unit here and PCG on their apprehensions,” the committee ofthe whole report said.

MARINA officer Norma Enriquez told the committee that motorboats should be registered with the agency.

“But boats operators are not inclined to register due to many requirements to comply before the issuance of registration as well as expenses thereof,” the committee report said.

Committee chairman, Vice-Gov. Dionisio Balite said in the report that “MARINA regulation of motor boats is not helping the people but rather oppressing them.”

The committee as reported by Board Member Atty. Tomas Abapo, Jr. has endorsed for Marina “to ease out the many requirements for registration to encourage” boat operators. It also strongly recommended to strengthen the apprehensions of the colorum motorboats. (rvo)