By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A motorboat carrying 15 passengers and two crew members sank yesterday afternoon off the coast of Barangay Old Sagay in Sagay City.
Philippine Coast Guard-Negros Occidental (PCG) chief, Lt. Commander Jansen Benjamin, said, based on information received from the local PCG sub-station in Sagay City, the boat was bound for the Carbin Reef, which is located off the coast of the city. However, the vessel reportedly encountered strong waves as soon as it left port and the boat’s engines suddenly stopped working.
Water then began pouring into the vessel, causing it to sink.
Benjamin said the city’s local disaster risk reduction management office and the local PCG sub-station immediately conducted a rescue operation for the 17 passengers and crew.
No one was killed or injured in the incident.
Last August, several people drowned to their deaths after passenger boats capsized in the Iloilo-Guimaras Strait. Around 10 minutes into the journey, the boats encountered a combination of heavy rains, strong winds, and strong waves, which resulted in them capsizing.
Following the incident, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas ordered a suspension of motorbanca operations between Iloilo City and Guimaras.
The Maritime Industry Authority subsequently ordered the suspension of motorbanca operations between Iloilo City and Guimaras as they conducted further investigations /DGB, WDJ