Tight watch on ports for holidays

ASIDE from the existing X-ray and walk-through screening machines, a manual checking of luggage will also be implemented at Cebu City’s ports as part of the government’s tightening of security measures in line with the holiday season.

This is part of the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) program dubbed the “Oplan Ligtas Biyahe: Krismas 2013” aimed at ensuring the safety of people traveling to their provinces for the Yuletide season.

Police and assistance desks will be in conspicuous areas for passengers with questions or problems, and medical teams and ambulances will be on stand by at the port terminals should an emergency arise, said CPA Deputy General Lawyer Yusop Uckung.

Only passenger terminals 1 and 2 are operational as terminal 3 was declared unsafe after the October 15-earthquake.

Uckung, however, said the remaining two passenger terminals can accommodate the passengers this peak season. Anyway, he said, people won’t be staying long in the terminals because they would all be rushing for their scheduled sea travel.

PASSENGERS

An estimated average of seven million passengers arrive in Cebu and another seven million leave the city’s ports every year.

The CPA reminds passengers to be vigilant with their belongings during the holiday rush. People are also reminded not to bring firecrackers, weapons, explosives, firearms and other illegal cargoes inside the port terminals.

Pictures of inmates who escaped from Leyte are posted inside the port terminals.

The PCG, for its part, will also have assistance desks for passenger queries and will inspect all vessels especially against overloading. They will also inspect the vessel’s seaworthiness and the availability of life-saving devices on board. /Correspondent Michelle Joy L. Padayhag