Shipping operators oppose closure of Mactan Channel during 12th ASEAN Summit

Cebu shipping operators expressed opposition to the plan of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit organizers banning them from using the Mactan Channel during the holding of the event in December.

In a radio report, Chester Cokaliong, president of the Visayan Association of Ferryboats and Coastline Service Operators (VAFCSO), yesterday said the summit organizers did not coordinate with them in coming up with the plan.

Florentino Palacio, another VAFCSO member, said although it is possible that terrorists will use ships in their effort to spoil the Summit, banning ships from passing the Mactan Bridge also poses a great hassle to ship passengers.

However, the Philippine Coast Guard yesterday said the plan was just a recommendation of the Task Force Maritime Security and is not yet final.

Cokaliong said they did not receive any official communication from the Summit organizers and the PCG regarding the plan.

But he said that once they receive the communication, they would seek for a dialogue to air their opposition to the plan, which he said poses serious effects to their operations as it entails additional fuel cost.

Cokaliong also said the plan will cause two to three hours delay of the arrival of passengers if ships bound for Cebu will have to pass around the Mactan Island. Among the ships that will be affected are those with routes from Eastern Visayas, Manila, Masbate, Samar, Negros, Iloilo, and Leyte.

Cokaliong admitted that three of his ships would be affected by the plan. "We will be seeking a dialogue with them kay di lang ni hasol sa mga shipping owners but as well as the riding public kay ang barko motuyok man sa Mactan Island. Inig tuyok sa barko langan dayon ta og duha o tulo ka oras. Dako kaayo na og impact sa ato kun patuyokan pa, labi na sa fuel cost.

He suggested that both the PCG and Philippine Navy should have patrol boats positioned near the Mactan Bridge during the summit to preempt any terrorist attack from sea.

Palacio said that if the plan will push through, they would have no other alternatives except to pass on the additional fuel cost to their passengers. - Flor Z. Perolina/LPM