Motorbanca trips to and from Guimaras resume

By Emme Rose Santiagudo

Boat trips from Iloilo City to Guimaras Island and vice versa resumes today, May 22, 2020, Mayor Jerry Treñas announced on Thursday.

“Considering that the EO (executive order) has already been signed and all protocols are in place, all trips from Guimaras to Iloilo City and vice versa will now be allowed,” Treñas announced via Facebook.

Treñas issued Executive Order No. 078 on Thursday mandating the deployment of compliance officers at all seaports and terminals in Iloilo City in compliance with EO No. 75 or the guidelines of the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) in Iloilo City.

The order covered all the seaports in Iloilo City particularly the Parola Wharf, Fort San Pedro Wharf, Ortiz Wharf, Iloilo Commercial Port Complex, Iloilo Bacolod Terminal and Roll-on/Roll-off (RORO) Wharf.

Under the EO, the compliance officers shall ensure that all passengers shall always wear face masks and physical distancing (at least one meter apart) will be observed.

These rules are meant to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The EO said the enforcers will issue citation tickets to violators.

For seaports, the compliance officers shall ensure that all guidelines will be observed.

Pursuant to the guidelines of Department of Transportation (DOTr) for areas under GCQ, the passenger capacity in ships and other passenger vessels shall be reduced to 50 percent.

Upon entering port premises and terminals, all individuals must fill-out and accomplish health protocol forms. Mandatory checking of body temperature will also be conducted upon entering the terminal and embarkation of ships.

Social distancing measures shall be strictly observed inside ports, ships, and other passenger vessels at all times.

Port facilities, particularly areas for frontline services such as passenger terminal buildings, port integrated clearing offices and other areas, should also observe physical distancing.

All disinfecting facilities such as foot baths, handwashing stations with alcohol and/or soap and sanitation tents will be established at all entrances of terminals, ports, ships, and other passenger vessels.

Upon entry, all vessels shall undergo disinfection procedures. Wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE) is also mandatory.

All seaports in Iloilo City shall be closed for purposes of sanitation and to place and install safety measures except for the following exemptions:

*Travelling essential personnel stated in the previous EO No. 75

*Essential goods and products as defined by the IATF Revised Omnibus Guidelines;

*Returning repatriated Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and non-OFWs provided that they comply with the protocols of Iloilo City

The mayor previously announced he will also open Ortiz Wharf soon to decongest passengers in the Parola Wharf.