Only essential cargo, not passengers, to be carried by sea vessels in Bicol


By Jinky Tabor

VIRAC, Catanduanes – Operators of sea vessels have cancelled trips to and from Catanduanes Sunday night.

This came after Philippine Coast Guard Regional Office 5 (PCG 5) issued a shipping advisory, ordering a suspension of sea travels to any points in Bicol region, following the declaration of an enhanced community quarantine in Luzon Tuesday, March 17.

In a directive sent yesterday, the PCG will only be allowing vessels carrying essential cargo to operate in Luzon.

Earlier, San Andres Mayor Peter C. Cua, who owns the roll-on, roll-off boats traveling from San Andres to Tabaco City port, said his vessels will only travel with shipments of food, medical supplies, water and other basic commodities for the consumption of Catandunganons. No passengers will be accommodated.

Shipping crew and other personnel accompanying said shipments were subjected to existing health and quarantine protocols

Meanwhile, the "no sail" policy has strictly been enforced on all domestic passenger vessels including private watercrafts like bancas.

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