Boat trips cancelled for lack of physical distancing in wharf

By Emme Rose Santiagudo

Motorbanca trips from Iloilo City to Guimaras and vice versa are temporarily suspended until health protocols are put into place, Mayor Jerry Treñas announced on Tuesday.

Passengers bound for Guimaras flocked Parola Wharf in City Proper district on Monday, making it hard to impose physical distancing, a primary protocol to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID1-9).

“Ginpauntat ta anay ang trips kay na notisiyaran ta nga kabudlay gid mag maintain sang social distancing didto,” he said in a press conference on Tuesday.

According to the mayor, they have coordinated with the provincial government of Guimaras on setting health protocols at the wharves in Iloilo City and Guimaras.

For one, Treñas said the city will require travelers from Guimaras to accomplish health declaration cards upon arrival at the wharves.

 

The mayor said he will also open Ortiz wharf in City Proper district to decongest passengers in the Parola wharf.

“Kagina sang aga nagmeeting kami ni Guimaras Governor Samuel Gumarin para maplastar kon ano ang ang aton nga protocols. Ang amon desisyon kon ano ang health declaration nga gina-require sa Guimaras amo man na ang gina-require ta di. Abrehan man naton sa Ortiz para indi congested sa Parola,” he said.

Treñas said that they are also in talks with fast craft operator Atlantic Yohann Express to resume their trips between Iloilo City and Guimaras.

He assured that the city will continue to coordinate with the province of Guimaras.

“Ang importante man guro bangod gashare kita sa borders, we will coordinate with each other. We need Guimaras and they need us,” he said.

Motorbanca trips will resume once health protocols in the wharves have been established, the mayor assured.

For now, passengers have flocked to the RORO port in Lapuz, Iloilo City to get a ride home to the island province.