JORDAN, Guimaras – To ensure that people observe health safety protocols, the Guimaras Police Provincial Office (GPPO) stationed more policemen at the island’s wharves in Jordan and Buenavista towns, and the roll on, roll off port here.
Of particular concern to the GPPO are the peak hours when the ports are packed with people – 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
According to Police Colonel Pablito Asmod, police provincial director, his men would make sure that people observe physical distancing and wear facemasks and face shields.
“Na-notice naton nga daw indi masunod ang protocols. Nagadagsa ang tawo sa amo na nga mga oras,” Asmod told Panay News.
With an additional two policemen deployed in the three ports, each one now has four policemen maintaining peace and order in them.
Crowding at the ports was observed since Jan. 1 due to the limited number of boats servicing passengers. This was a direct result of the Maritime Industry Authority’s grounding of over 90 wooden-hulled motorboats crossing the Iloilo Strait for Iloilo City and vice versa.
At the moment, only two fiber-reinforced polymer (FRB) boats and two steel-hulled ships serve the Buenavista-Iloilo City route.
On the other hand, two FRB boats, one steel-hulled ship and three roll on, roll off vessels serve the Jordan-Iloilo City route.
“Kon iban lang nagabantay, damo gid pasaway. Pero kon ara ang pulis, iba gid ang dating sang naka-uniform ukon presensya sang naka-uniform. Kon makita nila, nagapati dayun,” said Asmod./PN
