Additional ferries, port ease traffic in Matnog
Traffic gridlock at Matnog port in Sorsogon will soon be gone as the government added more ships on Wednesday, promising immediate delivery of relief goods carried by trucks that have been lining up for days. Video by Ryan Leagogo/INQUIRER.net
Matnog, Sorsogon — The line of relief trucks and passenger buses going to typhoon-ravaged Samar island has eased at Matnog port in Sorsogon, after the deployment of additional ships.
Jun Hilbero of the Philippine Ports Authority told INQUIRER.net on Wednesday that more ferries were assigned to the port and that another port in the nearby town of Bulan was also authorized to accommodate special trips to Samar.
“May regular na byahe na walo, nagdagdag ng another three vessels. Tapos dun sa Bulan nag-mercenary trips…Ang relief trucks natin na-divert dun,” he said.
(“We have eight regular trips a day, which was augmented by another three vessels. And in Bulan there are mercenary trips…Our relief trucks were diverted there,” he said.)
Hilbero, officer-in-charge of PPA Matnog, said additional ramps were also in place, allowing more vessels to load simultaneously.
He said that as of Wednesday morning, only 15 buses and 12 trucks were waiting at the Matnog port. Last week, reports said the line going to Matnog port was around four kilometers long.
Matnog port. PHOTO BY KRISTINE SABILLO/INQUIRER.net
Meanwhile, four ferries were deployed at Bulan port on Monday.
“Ngayon may sapat na tayong barko…Actually in three or four days ma-normalize na operations dito,” Hilbero said.
(“Now we have enough ships…Actually in three to four days we expect operations to return to normal,” Hilbero said.)
Among the vehicles waiting to board at Matnog port are trucks carrying gas, aluminum posts and other items to aid and rebuild communities hit by super typhoon “Yolanda.”
Medical teams from the International Committee of the Red Cross were also hoping to reach Eastern Samar through Matnog.
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