By Emmanuel Canto
It is of great importance and need to renovate Dumangas Port in Iloilo. It must be the priority of the national government.
Thousands of passengers and cargo trucks pass this port 24/7 from Bacolod to Dumangas and vice versa. For the longest period of time, there is a shortage of Roll-On Roll-Off (RORO) vessels plying the route.
The port badly needs a renovation for a bunch of reasons. It is a fact that Dumangas Port, or any port, for that matter, is very important for trade and commerce. Business flourishes and thrives because of the presence of a port in any locality.
This is the legacy of then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. During her stint, she was the instrument of realization and establishment of RORO vessels to connect with different islands in the entire Philippines.
As an economist, she knew the importance of ports in business. When the business flourished, it rebounded to the good economic condition of the locality.
We all knew that Dumangas Port is the gateway to the islands of Panay, Capiz, Aklan, etc. even going to Batangas and Metro Manila and vice versa.
It is an income-generating government facility. Hence, it can finance the needed makeover of the port to respond to the changing times.
As a comparison, the Batangas Port, bigger than Dumangas Port, is one of the busiest ports in the country. It can accommodate 22,000 passengers in a day.
A long time ago, the limited space of the terminal had always been a concern, but today, it is considered as the modern and largest terminal because of government intervention.
Just a simple question: Why can’t the national government make ways and means to uplift the condition of Dumangas Port?
Both ports are under the management of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), the port administrator in the Philippines created in 1975, attached to what is now the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for policy and program coordination.
In my opinion, Dumangas Port is also the busiest port in Western Visayas that deserves a revisit of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. He alone can make it possible. His intervention is necessary for the good of both business and travelers alike.
I hope someday we can experience a good and effective system — a clean, spacious and comfortable passenger area is a must. Passengers are customers that need the utmost attention. And the government must also take into consideration the predicament of all concerned, specifically the passengers and the cargo trucks that transport goods.
Here are some of my observations based on my experience plying the Dumangas Port that needs immediate attention to wit:
* Additional RORO vessels are needed to address the congestion of cargo trucks, private vehicles and passengers. Most of us have experienced the long hours of waiting. I have a friend who arrived at the port at 10:00 a.m. It was already 2:00 p.m. but he still keeps on waiting for what time he can board — such a volatile situation. Others have to wait until the wee hours in the morning just to be accommodated. It is within the ambit of the government to recommend and take the necessary measures to rectify these issues.
* Clean and comfortable restrooms with potable water are badly needed, and also facilities for the elderly, and persons with disabilities. The post must have modern baggage X-ray machines, walk through metal detectors, restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores inside the pre-departure area and extensive CCTV coverage.
This is based on my personal experience every time I travel.
As a passenger, we deserve a better port, even simple amenities like clean comfort rooms, potable water, comfortable benches etc. And if the port management can provide a better air-conditioning system, the better.
My last trip was the worst. Only two restrooms — one for gentlemen and one for the ladies — are available because the two other restrooms were closed for whatever reason. I don’t know for how long it will be available. However, apparently there was no water and so dirty.
The passengers suffer the agonizing situation in silence. They, particularly the ladies, are just using it because of the urgency of the call of nature. The kind of situation will not be experienced if the port management is proactive. Cleanliness must come first, it is the yardstick of good service.
The Dumangas Port is managed by the PPA. While the PPA holds jurisdiction over the port zone and its operations, the Municipality of Dumangas has also been involved in collaborative or supplementary management discussions with the PPA.
See, these two government agencies are responsible. Whatever you see and experienced at the port, it is within the ambit of their public responsibility.
Sad to note that we as taxpayers and passengers do not deserve what the government is doing with us.
What can you say, PPA? It is high time that your management should take a second look.
Again, I would like to reiterate that the port, whether managed by the government or a private entity, in general is an income-generating endeavor.
Every day it seems a normal scene for the port management long lines of vehicles queuing waiting to board.
I hope soon this situation will be rectified by the national government./WDJ