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COTABATO CITY — Headed by Minister Mohagher M. Iqbal, the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) has offered its sympathies with the victims of the sinking of passenger-cargo boat M/V Trisha Kerstin 3.
With 344 passengers and crew, the roll-on, roll-off (RORO) sea craft sunk near Basilan province off Baluk Baluk Island while en route to Jolo, Sulu, sunk early morning of January 26. It left Zamboanga City Port on January 25 passed 9 p.m.
So, far, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) had already confirmed 36 deaths as of Saturday, January 31. The PCG is leading the wide-scale search and rescue (SAR) operations for those missing in the seaborne tragedy. Aleson Shipping Lines owned and operated the RORO.
Over at the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the MBHTE, of the BARMM government’s 15 primary ministries, expressed oneness and solidarity with the tragic incident, one many in the country’s maritime transport sector.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing and the continued missing of school personnel and teachers who were among the passengers. Their dedication and service to education have made a lasting impact on learners, colleagues, and communities, and their loss is profoundly felt within the education sector,” the education ministry says.
In Manila, the Department of Education (DepEd) had reported a day after of the tragedy that 35 teachers from Sulu who were returning home from a seminar in Zamboanga City were onboard M/V Trisha Kerstin 3. Six of them were reported missing.
The MBHTE of the BARMM has more than 22,000 teaching personnel spread across the Bangsamoro component territories.
In its message of solidarity, the education ministry extended “its deepest sympathy to the families and loved ones of those affected by the tragic sinking” of the RORO sea craft.
Still in Manila, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has started the safety audit of all Aleson Shipping Lines’ fleet which were all suspended from operating. MARINA gave permission to other shipping lines to operate in the vacated routes.
𝗠𝗕𝗛𝗧𝗘 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗩 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗮 𝗞𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻 𝟯
“The Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) extends its deepest sympathy to the families and loved ones of those affected by the tragic sinking of MV Trisha Kerstin 3 in the waters of Basilan.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing and the continued missing of school personnel and teachers who were among the passengers. Their dedication and service to education have made a lasting impact on learners, colleagues, and communities, and their loss is profoundly felt within the education sector.
“This tragic incident has caused immense grief and uncertainty not only for the affected families but also for the entire Bangsamoro education community that mourns the loss of its members and continues to hope for the safe recovery of those still unaccounted for.
“The MBHTE joins the nation in praying for the eternal repose of those who have passed, for the swift location of the missing, and for strength, comfort, and healing for their families during this difficult time. We also recognize and express our gratitude to the rescue teams and responders who continue their tireless search and rescue efforts.
“The Ministry stands in solidarity with all those affected by this tragedy.”
Still at the BARMM, interim Chief Minister Abdulraof A. Macacua, on behalft of the Bangsamoro issued a statement conveying “our deepest sympathies and prayers to the families of those who lost their lives.
“At this difficult time, we extend our deepest sympathies and prayers to the families of those who lost their lives and to all those affected by this tragic incident. We fervently hope for the safety and recovery of the remaining missing passengers,” the chief minister offers in his statement.
Macacua also called on all the concerned authorities to leave no stone unturned for a thorough investigation of the incident to avoid future tragedies.
The Bangsamoro region, established in 2018 by the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) to implement the 2014 CAB, is made up of the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, and Tawi-Tawi, the cities of Cotabato, Lamitan, and Marawi, as well as the Special Geographic Area’s (SGA) 63 barangays or villages — now eight new municipalities — that voted “Yes” in a plebiscite in February 2019 to be under the BARMM jurisdiction.
According to the Philippine Atlas BARMM has 4,404,288 people. It has 116 municipalities: Basilan, 11 municipalities; Lanao del Sur, 39; undivided Maguindanao, 36; Sulu, 19; and Tawi-Tawi, 11. Its component cities are Cotabato (the regional center and capital) in Maguindanao; Lamitan in Basilan; and Marawi in Lanao del Sur. — EDD K. USMAN (/)