The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod passed a resolution on Wednesday, Nov. 22, thanking all those who swiftly responded to a distress call from a fastcraft that experienced mechanical trouble in the waters between Negros and Panay, and brought the vessel and its 172 passengers safely back to the BREDCO port in Bacolod City on Tuesday.
The resolution, authored by Councilor Em Ang, thanked and commended the Philippine Coast Guard, 618th Squadron of the Philippine Coastguard Auxiliary, Philippine Red Cross, Amity Volunteer Fire Brigade, Chamber Volunteer Fire Brigade, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bacolod City Mountain Tigers Rescue Team and the Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office for swiftly responding to the distress call of M/V Weesam Express 6 on Tuesday.
The M/V Wessam Express 6 departed from the BREDCO port in Bacolod City at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday bound for Iloilo, but at 1:15 p.m. it sent out an engine failure out a distress call, Commander Joe Luviz Mercurio, PCG Northern Negros Occidental station chief, said.
The vessel was towed by two tugboats with PCG personnel on board back to the BREDCO port where it arrived at 3:30 p.m., he added.
The SP resolution lauded the response teams for their dedication, professionalism, zeal for public service and compassion in attending to the needs of the all 172 passengers.
Frank Carbon of Weesam Express said passengers who did not board an alternative vessel that was provided were given fare refunds.*