Authorities and stakeholders in Negros Oriental agreed to the use of alternative ports to decongest a continuing surge of trucks diverted from the San Juanico Bridge.
During a press conference at the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Dumaguete Port manager Rey del Moro said alternative ports were identified during a stakeholders’ meeting in Dumaguete City earlier in the day.
“The first measure that we intend to pursue is to look for alternative ports, and these include the Tandayag Port, some private ports, and the port in Siaton,” he said.
The Tandayag port in Amlan town is accommodating roll-on, roll-off (RoRo) barges both for cargo and passengers, while the port in Tambobo Bay in Barangay Bonbonon, Siaton town, is now operational and ready to accept applicants from shipping lines.
Edward Du, president of the Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI), said they are willing to find a holding area for the trucks that would ply the Tambobo Bay route once sea vessels start calling on the port there.
Lt. Marionne Abigail Enopia, Coast Guard-Negros Oriental station commander, said they have personnel assigned in Tambobo Bay to assist in the regulation of trucks coming to and from the port.
For his part, Engineer John Lester Pitogo of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) in Negros Oriental said they are “issuing a relaxation of the certificate of public convenience,” which allows vessels to depart the port ahead of or later than their schedule.
Highway Patrol Team provincial chief Police Executive Master Sergeant Aurelio Bodo, in the same meeting, said their role is to ensure public safety for road users as “guardians of the highways.”
Bodo said they will invite the Department of Public Works and Highways to the next consultative meeting of stakeholders and agencies.
The measures discussed during the meeting will take effect immediately or at the earliest time possible, the authorities said.
The three-ton load limit of the 53-year-old San Juanico Bridge that connects Leyte and Samar has barred trucks and buses from crossing since May 15, creating logistical challenges for the neighboring provinces.
Meanwhile, a driver of a truck that arrived in Dumaguete from Iloilo on Tuesday, May 27, was found dead on Wednesday morning.
His companion, a helper, told police investigators that he found the driver lifeless inside the cab of the truck.
Bodo said investigation showed that the truck, loaded with motorcycles, was bound for Pagadian City and was waiting for an available RoRo trip to Mindanao. (PNA)