Saturday, December 22, 2007 CPA, LTO tighten watch for Christmas holidays
THE Cebu Port Authority (CPA) is beefing up its security patrol during arrivals and departures of vessels during the holidays.
Col. Oscar Lopez, manager of the port security and safety division, said baggage will be strictly inspected inside the passenger terminal before being forwarded to the vessel.
All outgoing passengers must pass through the X-ray machine and no direct boarding is allowed.
Additional security has been fielded to man the passenger terminals and parking areas and to maintain the zero-crime record at the Cebu ports.
Internal security includes the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) police, private security guards and the PNP Maritime Group.
CPA General Manager Angelo Verdan said persons who have no legal business at the ports will not be allowed entry.
Those who will be allowed in should present identification cards.
Verdan said the CPA’s responsibility on the security of vessel passengers extends until the port gate only.
But he is confident that the Cebu City Government and the Philippine National Police (PNP) can provide more policemen outside the port gates.
Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) will field organic and deputized agents in malls, Cebu South Bus Terminal, North Bus Terminal and the port area.
LTO 7 Director Alex Leyson encouraged the public to file complaints against erring drivers and conductors of public utility vehicles who refuse to use the fare meter, overcharge fares, or refuse to ferry them to their destination.
The LTO is authorized to fine violators up to P1,000 for such offenses.
Once a cab is flagged down and the driver stops in front of the passenger, for example, he is obligated to bring the latter to his destination, Leyson said.
At the airport, General Manager Danilo Augusto Francia of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) said all passes of security operators are suspended so that they will be ready for reinforcement.
Francia presided over a coordinating conference yesterday. He urged the people to report to the airport authorities all suspicious activities they may see around them.
“We shall all be a hotline or a cell phone away. But I request the public to maintain vigilance as well,” Francia said. (EOB)
