BACOLOD City – Despite the easing of sea travel, Iloilo-bound fast craft of Weesam Express coming from this city and vice versa cannot resume operation yet.
Weesam Express operator Frank Carbon disclosed yesterday they are still waiting for a “special permit” from the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina).
“Without the special permit, the operation of the shipping lines would be illegal,” Carbon reiterated.
He advised travelers to wait for further announcement of trip schedules to avoid being stranded at the seaport terminal.
Carbon revealed that if Marina would only allow them to have 60 passengers (about 20 percent of the vessel’s total passenger capacity), they will have no choice but to hike fare.
“That is why we asked the Marina to reconsider their decision by allowing us to have the 50 percent of the total capacity of passengers in every trips, which is about 150 passengers, but they reduce it to 60 persons only due to the strict implementation of one meter distancing,” Carbon said.
He added: “If Marina will not reconsider our request we will have to increase the fare for about P50 to P70 in order to cover up the number of passengers which was being reduced.”
He said there will be no more requirements necessary when boarding the vessel once the trip will resume only that persons at the age below 21 and above 60 are not encouraged to travel based on Mayor Evelio Leonardia’s Executive Order No. 43, extending the modified general community quarantine in this city until June 30./PN
