Fast craft firms seek clearer rules before resuming trips

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Fast craft operators here are asking for clearer guidelines before they resume operations.

Frank Carbon, Weesam Express adviser, told Daily Guardian here that they have not resumed operations this week despite the agreement between the city governments of Iloilo and Bacolod to allow unhampered sea travel.

He said the tentative schedule to resume trips is Saturday.

Carbon said they want clarification, particularly on persons allowed to travel and the travel documents required.

“Who will check that persons allowed to travel have the necessary documents before they are allowed to enter the terminal and purchase tickets?” Carbon asked.

He also said that Bacolod, Iloilo and Negros Occidental governments no longer require travel passes.

Another concern is the requirement for passengers to be seated one meter apart instead of one seat apart.

Carbon said that would mean a 300-seater fastcraft would only be able to carry 60 passengers, which would not be economically viable amid the high price of fuel.

He further said that even buses and other public utility vehicles are allowed 50 percent passenger capacity.

In Executive Order 43 Series of 2020 which extended the modified general community quarantine of Bacolod to June 30, Mayor Evelio Leonardia said sea travel between Iloilo and Bacolod will be unhampered and any provision to the contrary is deemed repealed.

However, persons below 21 years old and 60 years old and above, as well as those with immunodeficiency, comorbidities, and other health risks, and pregnant women are not encouraged to travel, the EO added.

The EO also states that Bacolod City may forge inter-LGU agreements to mutually institute integrated policies, common health protocols and safety mechanisms.