SBMA WAIVES PORT CHARGES FOR STRANDED VIETNAM FISHERS

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—THE Vietnamese embassy in Manila on Tuesday said it was fasttracking its assistance to Vietnamese fishermen who had been strande di n Subi c Bay f or almost a week due to bad weather.

In a le tte r to Olongapo City’s Public Affairs Office, the embassy said it had alread yc oordinated with the Philippine National Police Mariti me G roup to help the fishermen return to Vietnam after seeking shelter here since Nov. 6.

It assured local officials that it was “facilitating the issue” afte rt he Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) aske dt he Philippi ne C oast Guard to ensure tha tt hef orei gnf ishermen would leave the bay area immediately.

About 160 Vietnamese fishermen encountere dro ugh seas and stro ng w ind s an d ha d to take refuge tot he nearest harbor here, according to Olongapo Mayor Rolen Paulino Jr.

On b oard five vessels, the fishermen were welcomed by villager swh oo ffere dt hem food and water.

SBMA officials sa idt hree of the vessels remained anchored in Subic Bay on Tuesday.

Paulino sa id t he f ishermen had not left for Vietnam due to lack of fuel f ort heir boats.

In a memorandum sen tto t he C oast Gua rd o nn ov. 7, Jerome Martinez, the SBMA seaport department manager, sa id t he V ietnamese fishermen would bef ined f oro verstaying.

‘Procedural reminder’

Martinez said forei gnf ishermen in distress were allowe dto seek shelte ri n the bay bu tt hey neede d to leave t he p ort once the weather cleared up.

“Otherwise the appropriate port charges will apply,” Martinez said.

Bu to n Tuesday, Ramon Agregado, the SBMA senior deput ya dministrator , sa id t he agency had already recommende dtoit sb oa rd o f directors tha tt hes tranded fishermen be exempted fro mp ort charges.

“It would be the heigh tof insensitivit yf or anybody to fine these Vietnamese fishermen wh oo nly sought succor in our shores due to bad weather,” Agregado sa id i na statement.

He sa idt he seaport department’s memorandum “was simply a procedural reminder and as tatemen to fp olicy, considering tha tt he vessels entered Subi cbayw ithout authorization.”

The SBMA sa id t he V ietnamese fishing vessels entered Subi c Bay w ithout a clearance fro mp ort authorities.

—CONTRIBUTED PHOTO LONG WAY HOME A storm in the West Philippine Sea last week forced Vietnamese fishermen in five boats to seek shelter in Subic Bay, Zambales, where residents of a coastal community in Olongapo City welcomed them with food and water. The distressed fishermen are awaiting assistance from their embassy so they can return to Vietnam soon.