WHAT'S HAPPENING TO THE PHILIPPINES? TWO MARITIME TRAGEDIES IN JUST FOUR DAYS

A day before Christmas four people were found dead and 23 passengers were still missing when MV Catalina B collided with a fishing boat in the waters of Manila Bay. The vessel was carrying 73 people on a journey from Manila to Mindoro island.

Just last night, three days later, another sea tragedy happened when MV Baleno-9 sunk leaving 6 people dead and at least 20 passengers missing.

What's happening to the Philippines? It seems that nature is against us. Floods killed hundreds of Filipinos during Typhoon Ondoy and Typhoon Peping. Hundreds of families in different parts of Metro Manila were left homeless after fires consumed all their properties. Mayon Volcano is posing a threat to the people of Albay, prompting the government to evacuate thousands of people living within the 8-km radius dangerous area. And just recently, we have two maritime disasters.

Who is to be blamed? The Philippine government headed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for not firing Sec. Leandro Mendoza and his subordinates of the Department of Transportation and Communication? As you would know, there has always been failures on implementing rules and regulations in the maritime industry. Critics say that under Mendoza's administration, there has been little improvement in the enforcement of these rules.

Or the weather? This is the common excuse - an scapegoat to hide the incompetence of some maritime officials.
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