MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has ordered the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to intensify ground operations in Palawan and expedite assistance to survivors and families of the missing and deceased.
DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez said Marina was instructed to spearhead in managing emergency response operations on the passenger vessel MV June Aster, which caught fire late Wednesday night near Coron, Palawan.
Lopez said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed all concerned agencies to immediately assist victims and their families, ensuring rescue, relief, and accountability measures proceed without delay.
"We are working closely with other agencies and local government units to ensure medical care, relief, and support reach every family without delay. An investigation is underway, and accountability will follow wherever it leads," according to the DOTr chief.
The vessel, owned by DBP Leasing Corp. and operated by Atienza Interisland Ferries, Inc., has a maximum capacity of 300 passengers, the DOTr said.
Initial reports indicated that 117 passengers and 17 crew were onboard the ship from Baseco, Manila to Coron, Palawan when two explosions were heard, causing a fire.
The municipal government of Coron confirmed the vessel ran aground near an island approximately 1.5 nautical miles from Coron Port, near Barangay Marcilla.
The DOTr, citing a report from the PCG, said 48 of the 134 onboard had been accounted for—43 survivors and five fatalities—leaving 86 still missing.
Manifest reconciliation and validation against terminal logbooks continue as search and rescue teams work to locate the other passengers, the transportation department said.
Lopez said that several point persons have been designated across neighboring villages to monitor and report survivors or fatalities being washed ashore.
While the local government has put up an assistance center for survivors to centralize relief distribution, medical processing, and family coordination, Marina deployed a help desk within the center while authorized shipowner representatives were also on-site to coordinate food, logistics, and full coverage of survivors' hospitalization costs, the DOTr said.
Lopez said Marina has coordinated with the vessel's insurer, Western Guaranty Corporation, to fast-track burial assistance, medical reimbursements, and crew liability payouts, among others.
Extending their condolences to the families of the deceased, DOTr and Marina officials have committed to completing rescue operations and holding all responsible parties accountable.
