|
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Shipping firms cry over port closure
By Victor L. Camion
DUMAGUETE CITY -- Shipping companies in Dumaguete City complained over the "abrupt" closure of the port upon the order of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) effective Wednesday morning.
Dumaguete port manager Renato Tolinero said cargo and passenger vessels were prohibited from docking at the port starting Wednesday.
Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo
Glenn Silawan, cargo operations manager of George and Peter Lines, said he is concerned over their boat that will be arriving from Cebu City on Thursday morning.
In a conference held at the port office Wednesday morning, Silawan said they have already issued tickets to passengers to and from Dumaguete City and Dipolog.
Mark Cimafranca of Sulpicio Lines said they also have an incoming passenger vessel from Manila.
Top officials of Ocean Jet and Wessam complained against PPA local officials for not informing them about the conference and port closure. They said they have already issued tickets to passengers for Cebu and Tagbilaran.
Delta fast ferry's Monet Raymundo said they are looking for an alternative port for their floating terminal.
Raymundo said port officials are not allowing them to transfer their floating terminal to the eastern portion of the port beside the Silliman portal.
Edward Du, secretary general of the Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Nocci), told media that businessmen would bring the matter to Malacañang's attention.
Du said he would call for an emergency meeting with chamber members to discuss important matters and raise the possibility of asking President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to intervene.
He stressed it is not only the businessmen who will suffer loss, but also the city's economy.
Economy
Mayor Agustin Perdices, who also attended Wednesday's conference, said the port closure will not only affect the economy of Dumaguete City but the whole province of Negros Oriental.
He is set to meet with Governor Emilio Macias II and three congressmen of the province to discuss the port problem.
According to Perdices, this matter will not be solved locally.
The mayor said he believes that the national leader of the Associated Labor Union and Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP), together with the top management of the Prudential Customs Brokerage Services Inc. (PCBSI), should meet with PPA general manager Oscar Sevilla for an immediate solution to the problem in the port of Dumaguete.
Jeopardized
Joel Obar, counsel for PCBSI, stressed in a statement that the closure of the port has greatly jeopardized the contract entered into by the Philippine government with PCBSI.
"PCBSI, as a duly installed private contractor, fully understands the action taken by the PPA as a way to the protect life, limb, and property from injury or threat of injury," said Obar.
He added: "It was bad enough that policemen were injured, unable to protect themselves and enforce a legal order even with the presence and perhaps command of the local executive."
PCBSI, according to Obar, is estimating the damages it will demand by way of civil compensation under its contract against parties who would be found to be the proximate cause of the problem.
"It is disheartening that a simple peace and order concern is made a very complicated political issue at the expense of the consuming public of Negros Oriental," he said.
Safety
Port manager Tolinero on Wednesday announced "by reason of unsettled disputes, for public safety and to maintain order within the port premises, the operation at the port of Dumaguete is hereby declared closed effective immediately."
Perdices and Provincial Police Director Melvin Ramon Buenafe were at hand when the announcement was made.
Tolinero also explained that his order to close the port is based on instruction from the higher management of the PPA.
He, however, admitted there was no written order coming from PPA general manager Oscar Sevilla.
He said Sevilla only called him up three times last Tuesday night questioning why he delayed the closure.
Transportation and Communication Undersecretary Maria Elena Bautista has also directed Sevilla to close the port effective immediately.
Sevilla promised to send a written order Wednesday, but even if Tolinero would not receive it on time, he was told to order the port closure. (Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Iloilo. (April 3, 2008 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here. |
|
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
Sayyafs free Sulu school supervisor