ILOILO – Every inclement weather and the trips of sea vessels from the port of Dumangas town are cancelled, the municipal government is tending to the needs of stranded passengers.
But this is straining the resources of the local government, according to Mayor Ronaldo Golez. He thus appealed for support from other local government units and the provincial government.
The port of Dumangas is not only serving the people of his town but also those from other municipalities and provinces in Panay Island, stressed Golez.
The assistance given to stranded passengers during bad weather conditions included food, and sometimes clothing, said Golez.
“I appeal for help from the provincial governor and fellow mayors under the Regional Development Council. The port of Dumangas also serves as an entry and exit point in Panay Island of sea vessels going to Negros as well Mindoro and Batangas,” said Golez.
He suggested a memorandum of agreement between Dumangas’ local government and counterparts, and with the provincial government.
The number of passengers passing through the Dumangas port reaches around 1,500 each day, according to Golez.
“Only my municipality is shouldering the burden of assisting these thousands of stranded people. We need help. We have several typhoons each year thus the stranding of passengers could not be avoided. But we do not want these people go hungry while waiting for the trips of sea vessels to resume,” he stressed./PN
