BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The Bredco port here is ready for the influx of passengers especially on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.
Aj Gealon, manager of the Simplicio A. Palanca Sea Terminal and Bredco roll-on/roll-off (roro) terminal, assured travelers of their needs and comfort.
The terminal is air-conditioned and food vendors and kiosks are available in case passengers get hungry while waiting to board the ferry, said Gealon.
There’s also a clinic for passengers who may need medical assistance.
Gealon added that security is tight with passengers’ bags going through x-ray machines to ensure no contraband or weapon passes through.
As of yesterday, Gealon said they counted 737 passengers bound for Iloilo City. The figure, however, does not include passengers and vehicles passing through the roro terminal bound for Dumangas port.
Port personnel are expecting a huge influx of travelers between later this afternoon and tomorrow as some public and private offices will observe a half-day workday today.
Gealon advised passengers who will be traveling today to show up at the terminal early and avoid carrying too much baggage and prohibited items such as knives to avoid inconvenience.
No changes in Vallacar Transit’s trip schedules
Vallacar Transit Incorporated (VTI), parent company of the Ceres bus liners, announced there are no changes in the schedule of their bus trips this Holy Week.
Jade Marquez, media relations officer of VTI, said in a radio interview they will continue to observe regular schedules even during Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.
She assured passengers their drivers and conductors are physically fit and are regularly undergoing medical checkups.
LTO on guard, too
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) here is also on guard in line with the agency’s “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos para sa Semana Santa.”
LTO-Bacolod chief Renato Novero said their operation started on March 31. Personnel were dispatched at the North and South Bus Terminals to conduct inspections prior to allowing the bus units to travel.
The LTO also strictly observes a no overloading policy.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Veterinary Office and the Bacolod City Veterinary Office are on the lookout for pork and poultry products as part of the anti-African swine fever (ASF) and bird flu protocols.
Yesterday, they intercepted several shipments of pork and poultry products from Iloilo.
The shipments will be returned to their places of origin./PN
