By Teofilo P. Garcia Jr.
ZAMBOANGA CITY, (PNA) -– Stringent security measures will be implemented to ensure the safety of sea travelers as the local port will be partially opened Friday to pave the way for the resumption of trips for passenger vessels to and from this city.
Zamboanga Coast Guard Station commander Lieutenant Junior Grade (Lt.JG) Joemark Angue said Thursday initially there will be four trips from this city to the Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi (BaSulTa) areas.
Angue said the trips are as follows: Zamboanga City-Basilan via Isabela City and vice-versa, two trips daily; Zamboanga City-Jolo, Sulu and vice-versa, 1 trip daily; and, Zamboanga City-Bongao, Tawi-Tawi and vice-versa, 1 trip daily.
Angue said the stringent security measures include “three-layer” inspections for in-bound passenger vessel.
The three-layer inspections are: pre-boarding inspection from the point of origin; on-sea inspection at Sta. Cruz Islands; and, arrival inspection.
“No vessel can sail directly to Zamboanga City without being inspected doon sa Sta. Cruz Islands,” Angue said.
The two Sta. Cruz Islands–Greater and Little–which form part of Barangay Sta. Barbara are about 15 to 20 minutes ride by motorized banca from mainland Zamboanga City.
Aside from the inspections, Angue said that a clearance must be first secured from the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) command before any passenger vessel can sail from and to this city.
Angue said advised the travelers to bring their identification card (ID) as no one can just enter the premises of the local port since the policy of “no ID-no ticket-no entry” will be strictly implemented.
Angue said private vehicles including those of Very Important Persons (VIPs) will not be allowed to enter the port premises.
The Crisis Management Committee (CMC) chaired by Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has authorized the resumption of the trips for passenger vessels with prior clearance from the military and police authorities.
The port of Zamboanga has been closed to passenger vessels since the standoff started last September 9 except for arranged cargo vessels’ incoming and outgoing trips to ensure steady flow of food supplies in this city and in the nearby provinces.
The local port is one of the busiest ports in the country since it serve as the transshipment point both for passengers and cargoes in the region as well as to the BaSulTa areas which are part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).