By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
The number of passengers passing through Bacolod City’s BREDCO Port has yet to increase as of yesterday, but port personnel expect a huge influx of travelers starting this afternoon until tomorrow, Maundy Thursday, April 6.
Aj Gealon, manager of the Simplicio A. Palanca Sea Terminal, said as of 1:00 p.m. yesterday, around 737 passengers passed through the seaport bound for Iloilo City.
The figure does not include the passengers and vehicles bound for Dumangas Port through the roll-on/roll-off terminal.
Gealon said they are expecting the number of passengers to rise later this afternoon as government offices will observe a half-day workday today.
He said port personnel are ready for the influx of passengers and assured travelers of their needs and comfort, as the terminal is fully air-conditioned and several food vendors and kiosks are available inside the facility.
A clinic is also available for passengers who may need medical assistance.
Gealon noted that the terminal could compete with other seaports in the country.
Security measures are strictly imposed inside the terminal with passengers’ baggage going through x-ray machines, and guards also perform pat-downs to prohibit the entry of contraband or weapons.
The seaport operations are also normal throughout the day.
However, seacrafts are no longer observing their trip schedules and are immediately leaving as soon as they are full of passengers and vehicles.
Gealon advised passengers to arrive at the terminal early, avoid carrying sharp objects and lots of baggage to avoid any inconvenience.
Meanwhile, the Negros Occidental Provincial Veterinary Office and the Bacolod City Veterinary Office are also on the lookout for pork and poultry products as part of the protocols against African swine fever and bird flu at the BREDCO Port.
As of yesterday, they had already intercepted several shipments of pork and poultry products originating from Iloilo.
Among the prohibited items include pork products which will be returned to its place of origin, and two live chickens.
The chickens are set to be culled and burned as part of the anti-bird flu protocols./DGB, WDJ