Shipping companies asked to sell tickets online to LSIs

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera is appealing to shipping lines to consider the possibility of selling tickets online to locally stranded individuals (LSIs) should the travel ban get lifted in the city.

“Gihangyo nako nga ang mga shipping lines nga, if possible, aduna may mga online nga pamaagi nga maka-purchase kag ticket, mas maayo. Kay labing siguro gidili gyud ang pagsud sa atong pwerto nga way ticket,” said Garganera in a virtual press conference yesterday.

“Ang akong kabalak-an nga ang kaning mga lagyo nga lugar ba, moabot diri sa atong syudad unya molukat og ticket, unya way ticket unya wa raba ni sila’y kasakyan og mobalik sila, ma-stranded na sad sila,” he added.

Garganera, deputy chief implementer of Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in the city, said there are at least 18,000 travel authorities to be distributed to LSIs this coming August 1. These LSIs are currently in Cebu City.

“Ang challenge niani kay there are also a number of LSIs nga naa sa probinsya kay wa man sila’y laing barko nga kasudlan. Ngari man sa Cebu City. Ngari man ta sa Cebu ports. Sa CPA (Cebu Port Authority),” he said.

He said another challenge is that ships will only accommodate 50 percent of their capacity.

Garganera said he met with the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO), CPA, Philippine Coast Guard, among others, to create a plan regarding the matter.

He also called the Office of the Governor, through the provincial administrator, so that there will be cooperation.

“Aduna na tay pagahimoon nga traffic plan aron dili ta magdasok diha sa sud sa pwerto at the same time atong maisolate daan ang katong tagaprobinsya ug ang taga syudad,” said Garganera.

“Wala tay public transport, way taxi, way jeep. Mao nang nagkinahanglan gyud ta og tabang pud sailang mga respective LGU. Pero ang ngari sa Cebu City, pwede kuhaon sila sailang barangay,” he said.

For Cebu City residents, the city government will deploy buses for that purpose.

Garganera also mentioned that uniformed and barangay personnel will be deployed to ensure security.

“Ugma (today) amo ning timplahon og maayo og unsaon nga malikayan, pero mosugot ta sa madili, dagsa gyud ning tawo ani. Let us just be ready,” said Garganera.

“It’s going to be a challenge. Anyway mohatag mi og saktong report sa flow chart, sa map nato sa pier puhon og asa ang entrance... most likely ang kanang Pier 3 ug 1 makasud ang atong mga sakyanan diha,” he added.  JMD (FREEMAN)