A regional director of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has been dismissed over the sinking of motor tanker Princess Empress that caused an oil spill in Oriental Mindoro and nearby areas in February 2023, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Wednesday.
In a statement, the DOTR said MARINA Region V Director Jaime Bea was dismissed after he was found culpable of grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of service.
DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista told MARINA Administrator Sonia Malaluan about Bea’s dismissal in a letter dated August 7.
“We have had sinkings before, but no one has been held to account. This time all parties, whether private or public, will be held accountable. There will be no exception,” Bautista said.
“Our policy is zero tolerance to shortcuts, official negligence, and disregard of rules. The rule of law, good governance, and best practices must prevail throughout the department and its agencies,” he added.
GMA News Online sought comment from Bea but he has yet to respond as of posting time.
According to Bautista, it was Bea who signed and approved the certificate of ownership/certificate of Philippine Registry of MT Princess Empress in “direct contravention” of rules and procedures.
He said Bea also failed to maintain the integrity of the processes in the Domestic Shipping Section and enforce the provisions of the Citizen’s Charter.
This allowed MARINA Regional Office V Engr. Joe Buban to process documents outside the scope of his duties, according to Bautista.
For Bautista, Bea’s actions caused millions of pesos of damage to the government in response operations and tarnished MARINA’s image and integrity.
The MT Princess Empress, which was carrying 900,000 liters of industrial oil, sank off Naujan, Oriental Mindoro on February 28, 2023 amid strong waves.
The oil spill recovery operations for MT Princess Empress was completed in June 2023.—AOL, GMA Integrated News
Be the first to comment