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No more MV Dona Paz! Report safety violations, get cellphone load rewards

April 7th, 2009 | by ka edong |

Three years ago, I took a boat to Coron and saw how each and every passenger’s photo is taken by a webcam during pre-departure. I surmised this was a security measure.

This year, the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) is offering cell phone load worth P50 for each validated report of safety violations of shipping lines.

This is an innovative safety measure where citizen-participation is encouraged. I see at least two benefits and a down-side to this program.

(See full article from the Philippine Star: Alert passengers to get ‘pasa load’ )

Benefits

First, MARINA is engages citizen passengers – the seafaring public – to report safety violations.  Safety violations include:

• Overloading,
• No or not enough life jackets,
• Smelly lifejackets,
• Intoxicated duty ship officials and crew,
• No directional signs on board the ship,
• Ship’s crew not in proper uniform, and
• Dirty and smelly toilets.

I could imagine that this is a good reporting and feedback campaign. We know from the past sea tragedies in the Philippines that we haven’t been upholding enough safety policies.  This will also help increase accountability of both ship operators and the coast guard.

Second, the campaign increases the awareness of citizens. The campaign gives citizens a level of influence or responsibility over their own safety.

How to report a safety violation:

The public can send their report by texting
marina_sumbong_ name/location/violation/vessel name to 2985.

Will the campaign work?

I hope so! Let’s do our share in avoiding another sea tragedy!

I just wonder whether the campaign is getting enough mileage in increasing awareness. I don’t travel by boat, so I couldn’t tell whether the campaign is reaching enough of it’s target audience.

If you did see this campaign when you rode the boat, do share.

I also see that the incentive — free cellphone load — is bound by limitations. The free load will be given only if the safety violation is verified. This is, of course, a control  — we don’t want the P50 reward to be given to bogus reports.

Downside of this control, though, is that it reduces the incentive. We know that a reward is more effective when given almost instantly.

Let’s see how the campaign goes. If you have an experience with this campaign, do share in the comments section below.

Have a safe trip! And have a meaningful Holy Week!

ka edong
safety first

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