THE resumption of sea travel for Bacolod and Iloilo passengers is still uncertain, an official said.

Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) Western Visayas Director Jose Venancio Vero said shipping lines still cannot decide whether to resume their operations or not for fear that they may still incur losses because of meager and limited passengers despite the relaxed community quarantine status of the Cities of Bacolod and Iloilo.

Health protocols also remain an issue, Vero said.

For the time being, Vero said, passengers can take the FastCat that continues to operate because of its category as cargo and passenger vessel.

Vero on Thursday, October 15, met with the representatives of Bacolod City and Iloilo City with the Philippine Ports Authority, Philippine Coast Guard and the shipping lines.

Philippine Coast Guard-Negros Occidental chief Lieutenant Commander Jansen Benjamin said they will only implement orders from Marina related to the resumption of fastcraft operations. He said shipping lines have also issues that needed to be resolved.