Page 2 - Robertzon Ramirez News Today

Transportation agencies and private transport providers must ensure the safety of passengers during their exodus to the provinces for the Holy Week, Sen. Grace Poe said yesterday.

The oil spill from the sunken M/T Princess Empress continues to spread and has reached Tablas Strait and Tayabas Bay.

Around 50,000 Filipino sailors working on European Union-flagged ships can heave a sigh of relief after the European Commission decided to continue recognizing their safety certifications issued by the Maritime Industry Authority.

The management of the passenger ferry that caught fire off Basilan Wednesday has begun extending financial assistance to the families of the fatalities and the injured and apologized for the mishap that killed 29 people and hurt dozens others.

President Marcos will go on a retreat this Holy Week as part of his observance of Lent.

A spark from a ceiling lamp in a passenger cabin may have caused the fire that killed dozens of passengers on the ferry Lady Mary Joy 3 off Basilan, Philippine Coast Guard investigators said yesterday.

The Department of Transportation said yesterday it is prepared for the expected influx of passengers during the Holy Week.

Despite their still unresolved maritime rift, the Philippines and China remain open to the prospect of joint oil and gas explorations in contested waters.

At least 31 persons died and 230 others were rescued after a fire engulfed the ferry M/V Lady Mary Joy 3 off Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan province late Wednesday night, authorities said yesterday.

Oriental Mindoro Gov. Humerlito Dolor wants the entire province placed under a state of calamity due to the oil spill from the sunken motor tanker Princess Empress.