Information That Turned to Ashes

Coming from the maritime sector, I frequently visited the website of MARINA (Maritime Industry Authority) for the latest news in the maritima. This is where I seek new regulations, issuances, policies and future trends that concern maritime trade and the seafaring profession.

This site was also a valuable source of info concerning horrific events such as the Guimaras oil spill last February and how the government dealt with it (or neglected it?). That was until last May 31st, when a single floor in the Marina building burned at 11 p.m. It was not even an entire floor. It was a specific office dedicated to important documents on ship registration, mortgages, bareboat charter, etc.

The first press release from Marina indicated that there were no high-profile cases at that time. Therefore, according to Marina, there could have been no arson. Hmmm, good conclusion, considering that this statement was made while the office was still burning. The fire brigade finally put out the fire in less than 2 hours and announced that the fire is out and that the vicinity is safe. On June 1, at 4:30 am, just 4 hours later, it burned again. And yes, all the papers in that particular office finally turned to ashes.

The MARINA website has been out for the last seven months. I simply do not understand how and why our government cannot restore it, considering the international nature of shipping and the number of interested parties worldwide that utilize this site. Just a few days ago, I had the chance to ask a recently-retired high-ranking Marina official why the site has not been restored. He simply told me that the office is involved with more important things mean time.

And maybe there was no arson. Maybe there were no high-profile cases with crucial information that could turn into Pandora's Box. Maybe keeping a website for a very important government office is not so important. Maybe it's safer when certain information are turned into ashes. Just maybe.