Forty-nine individuals onboard a banca that ferries island-hopping passengers to the Island Garden City of Samal were rescued by the authorities Sunday morning, May 19.
Philippine Coast Guard Davao Lt. Cmdr. George Maganto confirmed in an interview by the media Sunday that 45 passengers and 4 crew of a motorized banca were rescued minutes after the banca sunk several meters away from Sta. Ana wharf in Davao City.
(PHOTOS BY DONNA CUYOS)
He said the banca’s propeller had a malfunction causing the vessel to sink. Luckily, the banca was just about 150 meters away from the wharf when the accident happened thus the immediate rescue.
Island hopping is quite a popular tourism activity in Davao especially during the summer season.
The City Government of Davao recently ordered banca owners to register their business and pay the necessary taxes before they could be allowed to do business anywhere in Davao City.
