Vessel owners, operators call off shipping holiday

Twenty-seven vessel owners and operators called off a planned shipping holiday on March 1, Radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported. The decision came a day after President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo met with stakeholders in the shipping industry in Cebu. Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza disclosed Mrs. Arroyo suspended a memorandum circular issued by the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) that required tighter security requirements for shipowners. Earlier, the shipowners said the strict safety requirements issued by Marina, and called for the ouster of Marina head Maria Elena Bautista. However, Bautista warned those participating in the maritime holiday may lose their franchises. Mendoza also said that during Wednesday's meeting, Mrs. Arroyo ordered the creation of a technical working group to address the concerns of the shipping industry. Had it pushed through, the strike could have affect as many as 50,000 passengers, an earlier report on dzBB radio said. - GMANews.TV