The SuperFerry 9 bound for Bacolod, Iligan and Ozamis from Manila with 1,300 passengers on board developed "technical problems" at sea delaying its scheduled arrival in Bacolod City from 1 p.m. yesterday to 8 a.m. today.

John Rojo, assistant vice president for corporate communications, said the SuperFerry 9 developed steering problems near Balbagon Island in the northeastern part of Panay at 10:15 a.m. yesterday. As of yesterday afternoon it was awaiting the arrival of SuperFerry 2 to tow it to Bacolod City, he said.

Of the 1,300 passengers and crew on board, 391 were bound for Bacolod. The passengers are all right, they are being fed and entertained, he said.

"We apologize to the passengers and their relatives for the inconvenience," he said.

The towing of SuperFerry 9 was expected to start last night and it is estimated to reach Bacolod at 8 a.m. today, at the earliest, he said. As soon as SuperFerry 9 arrives in Bacolod passengers bound from Iligan and Ozamis will be transferred to another SuperFerry vessel to bring them to their destinations, he said.

All affected passengers may opt to refund and revalidate their tickets without surcharges, he said. Free shuttle service will be provided for them, he added.

Relatives waiting for passengers who are from out of town were allowed to stay overnight at the SuperFerry terminal at the BREDCO port in Bacolod City.*CPG

back to top