EDITORIAL

The Ingenuity of Engr. Salvador

The Filipinos are not only world class seafarers, they are also world class ship builders. They must be, because the Philippines consist of 7,170 islands and even more during low tide. Records will show that all ocean going vessels have Filipino crew members and majority of the crew members are Filipinos. They are either engineers, stewards, and chefs.

Filipinos must have good reasons to be in command of the ocean and great seas. The Philippines is a peninsula which islands are spread between two great bodies of water, China Sea and the Pacific Ocean. To travel between and to reach those islands, people must travel on the water unless the two islands are connected with bridge like Samar and Leyte, or there is airport for a plane to land.

This skill in ship building is exhibited by a young engineer from New Washington, Engineer Jonathan R. Salvador. He will launch his newly built, all steel vessel, LCT Mighty Sailor on December 3, 2008 in New Washington, Aklan. Jonathan Salvador is a very young marine engineer. He was the chief engineer of a bulk carrier vessel, M/V Trimnes, owned and managed by Jebsens Company Leer Germany.

Jonathan has been working as a marine engineer officer for 10 years. Even as he was working aboard in foreign vessels navigating the oceans, he started this ship building project out of his savings, financial assistance from his family and close relatives and strong encouragement from friends.

LCT Mighty Sailor is designed to connect Barangay Pinamuk-an with Poblacion, New Washington which is an island barangay isolated from the mainland Aklan. Pinamuk-an is a fishpond and coconut area which if connected by way of a roll on roll off boat service, it will generate more production and income to the people and the town of New Washington. After his dedication to his project, Engr. Jonathan Salvador will launch his all steel vessel on December 3, 2008.

Jonathan started his project on July 30, 2006 with his letter request addressed to the President of the Philippines for assistance. His letter was favorably endorsed on Aug. 22, 2006 to the General Manager, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) for appropriate action. On September 25, 2006, the letter request was referred to the District Manager, PPA for the Visayas who was advised to “review and evaluate” the proposal of providing a medium type RORO Ferry Service to link Poblacion, New Washington to Barangay Pinamuk-an.

On October 30, 2006, the Port Manager, Dumaguit, New Washington verified the following: 1. lot for the proposed construction of the port facility and state of road network, 2. type of vessels and route of those presently utilizing the ports, shipping companies, 3. status of power and water supply system, 4. existing projects in the barangay, and 5. copy of comments/observations/recommendations/endorsements/objections from barangay and municipal officials.

Mr. Rodulfo Z. Candido submitted his report in response to the Memorandum of the Port Manager, Dumaguit, the contents of which were all favorable to the proposal.

Mr. German C. Lapido, Division Manager – C, PPA submitted his memorandum to the Port Manager highly recommending approval of the project. It included data supporting his recommendation. Hence, the project started. The Sangguniang Barangay of Pinamuk-an and Sang-guniang Bayan of New Washington both approved a resolution strongly endorsing approval of the construction of a medium type RORO Ferry Service to link Barangay Pinamuk-an and Barangay Poblacion, New Washington. Engr. Jonathan Salvador started working on his project which cost a good sum of money, determination and perseverance.

On Wednesday morning, Dec. 3, 2008 in Dumaguit, New Washington, Aklan, we will witness the launching of LCT Mighty Sailor to provide ferry service between mainland Aklan and Barangay Pinamuk-an. This is a boat, a product of Aklanon engineering know how and ingenuity. This is a boat constructed in Poblacion, New Washington, Aklan of Filipino technology and materials except the engines which were imported, brand new consisting of two (2) Isuzu Marine Engine V-10 with transmission, 3:1 gear ratio, 1800 rpm. and one (1) auxiliary engine 20-3 KVA.

LCT Mighty Sailor is 26 meters long, with dept of 1.75 meters and 15 meters LOA. After the launching, there will be a change of lifestyle of the people of Pinamuk-an. Jonathan have made the difference.

Pinamuk-an is separated by Lagatik river from mainland Aklan. Now, this river will not impede travel, there is the LCT Mighty Sailor to transport comfortably the more than 3000 barangay people. The products of fish, coconuts and other agricultural crops being produced from the 776.21 hectares community will be easily transported at lesser cost and enhanced quality.

Thanks to a very diligent, forward looking engineer for his determination to pursue a project that promotes progress and development of the people and community. Engr. Salvador has done it and he will do it again. /MP