Barred vessel from China forced to offload elsewhere

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Negros Occidental said Friday that the cargo ship from China that was supposed to dock at Bredco port here was forced to offload its cargo elsewhere after it was barred from the city.

Lt. Commander Jansen Benjamin, PCG-Negros Occidental chief, said the Bureau of Quarantine doctor who was supposed to board the ship Friday has decided to cancel the inspection after Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia ordered a ban on all ships originating from China, Macau, and Hong Kong from docking in the city’s ports amid concerns over the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Benjamin said the operator of the vessel followed Leonardia’s order.

“They are now making preparations to leave the city,” he added.

The PCG official said they have yet to receive any word on where exactly the ship will proceed, although initial information he received from the vessel’s operator is that the ship will offload its cargo of fertilizer in Iloilo, before making its way to Manila.

Benjamin also confirmed that the second foreign ship that was also placed on quarantine, M/V BMC Catherine, was allowed to dock at Bredco port, late Thursday afternoon.

The PCG commander said the Bureau of Quarantine visited the vessel on Wednesday and confirmed that the crew were in good health and they did not find anything unusual that may otherwise also bar them from entering the port.

The BMC Catherine is now berthed at the Bredco port and as of yesterday the ship was spotted offloading its cement cargo.