GUIMARAS – Heeding the complaints of passengers, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Region 6 relaxed the schedule of sea trips from Parola wharf in Iloilo City to Jordan wharf in Guimaras, and vice versa.
Vice Gov. John Edward Gando said MARINA-6 director Jeffrey Bangsa agreed that vessels may take off once they are full, despite being off the schedule the agency released earlier.
“Kon puno na larga dayun bisan indi pa time maglarga. Kon indi sia mapuno by 10 to 15 minutes, still you have to move out,” said Gando in an interview with Panay News Thursday morning.
On Feb. 21, MARINA-6 set a new schedule of trips for vessels to and from Guimaras. The schedule ordered vessels to follow a specific time window of 10 to 15 minutes before taking off.
The vice governor received complaints from passengers last week about delays in transactions or going to work since the vessel had to wait for its specific departure time.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Guimaras conducted a committee hearing on Feb. 24 and had Bangsa explain the newly-issued schedule.
“Ang huol, perwisyo, the inconvenience, ang risgu nagtulod sa amon nga magpanawagan,” added Gando.
On Wednesday, March 1, Bangsa issued a new order addressed to three sea vessel operators: Jordan Motor Banca Cooperative, Buenavista and Jordan Ferry, Inc., and Navimar Shipping Services Atlantis Yohan Express Corp.
Bangsa said since “there is an absence of passenger holding terminals and there is an erratic influx of daily holding terminals, and in view of the recommendation and request of the Committee on Transportation and Committee on Good Governance of the 10th SP for the immediate departure of vessels once their passenger capacities have been fully occupied, this Office prescribes that the above-mentioned operators shall temporarily operate on a relaxed schedule of trips to provide flexibility of operations.”
The amendments to Certificates of Public Convenience (CPC) include the following:
* Ships can immediately depart once their maximum authorized passenger capacities are attained or with a loading time of 15 minutes from 5:20 a.m. to 8 p.m. and 30 minutes for trips from 8 p.m. onwards.
* Upon safe disembarkation of passengers and/or cargo and approval/clearance from the Philippine Coast Guard and/or Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), whether or not their authorized passenger and/or cargo capacities are attained, the ship shall immediately return to the congested/affected ports.
* Ships can increase their sailing frequency.
* In the carriage of passengers and/or cargo, all operators shall observe/adhere to the relaxation of schedules, without prejudice to any prior written agreement or arraignment between operators as to the sequence of departures.
* However, due to the congestion and condition of the Jordan and Parola wharves, as well as to give ample distance and space for the safe maneuvering of vessels, not more than two vessels may be allowed to depart at the same time.
* The operators shall operate from their first and until their last trips as stated under their CPC.
* The operators shall cause the amendment of their CPC to incorporate a relaxation of trips upon the recommendation of the Franchising Service-central office./PN
