GUIMARAS – The operating hours of sea vessels from Jordan, Guimaras to Iloilo City and vice versa are extended for the Manggahan Festival and the province’s anniversary celebration from April 29 to May 22.
The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Regional Office 6 approved the request of Gov. Joaquin Carlos Rahman Nava for the extension to cater to an influx of tourists and guests.
MARINA-6 director Jeffrey A. Bangsa issued an order on this on April 27.
“The said request is hereby granted to provide flexibility of operations to ensure safe, reliable, convenient, continued public service, and speedy transportation of passengers and rolling cargoes subject to conditions,” read part of the order.
The following are the conditions as stated under MARINA Advisory No. 2015-10 (Guidelines during Emergency, Holiday Season, and Special Occasion), paragraph 3, which provides that “Ships can increase their sailing frequencies” and further provides that:
* The operations of the above-mentioned operators may be extended until 12 midnight for the RORO operator and 2 a.m. for motorboat operators.
* The said operators may depart once their passenger or cargo capacities have been fully occupied or with a frequency of one hour and thirty minutes for the RORO and one hour for the motorboat operators.
* The operators shall ensure that the vessels are, at all times, fully equipped with distress signals/equipment.
* The operators shall ensure that the vessels, at all times, comply with the limitations and conditions under the safety certificates; and
* This order shall only be valid on the following dates as requested by the local government unit (April 29 to May 1, May 5 to 7, May 12 to 14, and May 19 to 22)
The Manggahan Festival 2023 highlights will be on May 22 with the following activities: Agri-Fishery and Eco-Tourism Expo, Mango-Eat-All-You-Can, Provincehood Anniversary and Thanksgiving Mass, Wreath Laying in Commemoration of the Founder of Guimaras Province, Dr. Catalino Gallego Nava, groundbreaking of the Dr. Catalino Gallego Nava Provincial Hospital Outpatient Care building, Manggahan Street Dance Competition, 31st Provincehood Anniversary Program, Manggahan Cultural Competition, fireworks display, celebrity band performances, and Cultural Dance Competition awarding ceremony.
The Mango-Eat-All-You-Can, where guests can feast on the fruit for P150 within 30 minutes, will be from May 19 to 22 at the capitol grounds./PN
