Sunday, October 29, 2006 Channel closure up for talks
THE Naval Forces Central (Navforcen), along with key agencies and ship owners, will hold a dialogue this week to discuss the planned closure of the Mactan Channel for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit in December.
Navforcen Commander, Capt. Roberto Estioka, told reporters yesterday they are preparing “other options” apart from closing the channel to ships.
“We have not decided what to do yet. We will still discuss this with other sectors,” he said.
Cebu Provincial Board Member Carmiano Kintanar said summit organizers should reconsider the plan to close the north side of Mactan Channel to shipping vessels during the event in December.
“The plan, if it pushes through, will mean two to three hours delay for the arrival of passenger ships in their destinations since these vessels will have to go around Mactan Island,” Kintanar said in his proposed resolution.
Alternatives
Estioka admitted that the planned closure has economic implications and that they hope to come up with alternatives to ensure the security of summit delegates.
“We will try to be innovative in deciding,” Estioka said.
He also said that the decision is up to the Asean Summit National Organizing Committee but hopes they can convince the committee to look at other options.
Asked what options they have come up with so far, Estioka declined to say and said they will still discuss these with concerned agencies and sectors.
Major Gen. Cardozo Luna, commanding general of Central Command, said the Philippine Navy, the Philippine Coast Guard and members of the private sector will be asked to attend the discussion.
“We are developing the best form of compromise so that everybody is satisfied. We also cannot sacrifice the security of the Asean delegates,” Luna said.
Aside from the planned closure of the channel to vessels, Estioka said they were prepared for the security arrangements in port areas.
He said they now have X-ray machines to screen the baggage of inbound passengers.
Kintanar also said that the intention of the plan to close Mactan channel is commendable as it is to ensure the security of the Asean delegates and the public.
“(But) preempting terrorism and other possible violent attacks can be addressed by alternative precautions such as the deployment of competent and well-trained Coast Guard and naval forces in identified high-risk areas in Mactan,” Kintanar said.
His resolution will be among the matters to be tackled in tomorrow’s regular session.
Shipping operators in Cebu have also opposed the proposed closure.
Chester Cokaliong, president of the Visayan Association of Ferryboats and Coastwise Service Operators, had said they were not officially informed or consulted on the move. He explained that the closure of the channel will mean a two- to three-hour-delay in each voyage, resulting in additional fuel expenses. (MEA/MBG)
