The Coast Guard says they will meet with representatives of shipping firms and maritime authorities to set a cut off time for the inspection of vessels to avoid inconveniencing passengers and businessmen.
CDN Photo/Junjie Mendoza
Acting Cebu City Mayor Edgar Labella called on the regional office of the Philipppine Coast Guard (PCG) to inspect vessels departing from the Cebu City port area ahead of time.
Labella said he received complaints from businessmen and passengers on delayed trips caused by the Coast Guard’s alleged practice to conduct vessel inspections on the scheduled departure time.
“It’s their practice to check the passenger capacity right at the very time they are about to leave especially those (vessels) going to Tagbilaran, Ormoc and some other places, especially the fast craft,” Labella told the reporters.
“Conducting the inspection minutes before departure time would ensure the safety of sea vessels and the satisfaction of passengers in their chosen schedule of travel,” Labella said.
Labella said trips were delayed by at least 30 minutes based on complaints he received.
Philippine Coast Guard-Cebu Station (PGC-Cebu) Commander Jerome Cayabyab said the delays were caused by the failure to set a cut-off time for accepting and loading of shipments.