ONE year and four months after super typhoon Yolanda devastated Bantayan Island, the port in Sta. Fe is once again fully operational and ready to accommodate thousands of visitors expected to spend their vacation on the island during Holy Week.
Sta. Fe Mayor Jose Esgana said one of the port’s two ramps was rehabilitated after it was damaged.
It opened last Saturday.
After Yolanda struck, the port was forced to use only one ramp.
Two shipping firms ferry passengers from Hagnaya Port in San Remigio in mainland Cebu to Sta. Fe: Island Shipping Corp. and Super Shuttle Ferry.
When Sun.Star Cebu visited Bantayan Island before the damaged ramp was fixed, ships had to wait their turn to load or unload passengers and vessels.
Promise kept
Sta. Fe Municipal Administrator Paulo Esgana said the Cebu Port Authority had promised the mayor the ramp would be operational before this year’s Holy Week.
The mayor said they expect three roll-on, roll-off vessels and two ferry boats of Island Shipping Corp. and three ferry boats of Super Shuttle Ferry to be sailing every 30 minutes during this period.
In Hagnaya Port, San Remigio Mayor Mariano Martinez said he is confident vessels can accommodate all the passengers expected to troop to Bantayan, especially during this peak season.
He said tents will be set up at the port for passengers lining up to get tickets.
“Only passengers who are ready to depart are allowed to stay at the waiting area,” Martinez said in Cebuano.
Some 30 policemen will be deployed in the area along with medical personnel from the San Remigio Rural Health Unit. An ambulance will also be on-standby.
Vehicles-for-hire will not be allowed inside port premises.
Meanwhile, Mayor Esgana said the more than 20 beach resorts in Sta. Fe are fully booked.
“There will be six emergency stations that will be placed within Sta. Fe to accommodate local and foreign tourists,” he said.
The town also trained lifeguards who will serve as volunteers to look after beachgoers.
Warning
The mayor said some streets will also be closed to vehicular traffic.
In Mandaue City, police will set up help centers in churches.
Police also warned house owners to secure their houses before going out because burglars take advantage of the occasion.
Insp. Jimmy Aguisanda, chief of operations of the Mandaue City Police Office, said about 175 police officers will be deployed all over the city to secure people participating in Holy Week activities.
He said all six police stations have been directed to secure churches in their jurisdiction and other places where people congregate.
“We are requiring all police stations to set up police assistance centers in churches, terminals and other crowded places,” he said in a press conference last Thursday.
Aguisanda reminded people going to churches, terminals and other crowded places to watch out for pickpockets.
“If possible, (do) not bring large amounts of money,” he said.
Aguisanda advised homeowners to secure their houses against burglars when they leave to partake in Holy Week activities.
“Ang mga akyat bahay maniid na sila kung walay tawo sa usa ka balay (Burglars keep an eye on houses),” he said.
He said that if possible, someone should be left in the house.
House owners can also request their neighbors who are staying at home to look after their houses while they are out, Aguisanda said.