LOBOC – Owner-operators of floating restaurants and river-cruising boats here cried foul over the imposition carried out by  MARINA of charges for the Maximum Load Marking Certificate based on its Circular No. 2009-20. In their manifesto sent to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the floating resto operators led by Walter Sultan urged the former (SP) to extend help requesting Marina “to reconsider” the implementation of said Circular. Section 4.1 of said circular, Marina said “boats shall have permanent load markings placed on each side forward, amid ships and aft to indicate the maximum freeboard as determined in accordance with section V.i. Such a load mark shall be horizontal line of at least 200 mm in length forward and aft, 300 mm amidships and 25 mm in height with its upper edge passing through the point of maximum draft. The maximum load mark shall be painted in a contrasting color to the color of the side shell paint.”

Marking load charges imposed are the following rates: under 5 gross tons, P1,000; 5 and under 10 gross tons, P1,500; 10 and under 20 gross tons, P2,000; and 20 and above, P2,500. “If these fees are regulatory, then they are unfair, outrageous and confiscatory, especially because they are imposed per unit/banca,” the Manifesto said, adding that the business of floating restaurants are under “severe financial constraints.” Marina imposed fees “will exacerbate, not mitigate, the burden of operators,” and this will adversely affect the fledging tourism industry in the province. Floating restaurants cannot be compared to sea-going vessels category and therefore this “does not give justice and inspire fairness,” the Manifesto said. It added that the nature and condition of travel of floating restaurant trade is far different from other vessels but should be placed under a different category.

The said manifesto was referred to the Committee on Public Utilities of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. Copies of said manifesto were also furnished to Gov. Erico Aumentado, the Department of Transportation and Communication, the Sangguniang Bayan of Loboc and to Mayor Leon Calipusan for their action. Teresita Sumampong, owner of the Riverwatch Floating Restaurant, Rosario Balbido, Long River Floating Restaurant; Mary Jo Varquez, Monarch Floating Restaurant; Herman Palapar, San Pedro de Loboc; Juliet Avenido, Greenwater Floating Restaurant; and Walter Sultan of The Village Floating Resto signed the manifesto. (RVO)