Coast Guard-Dumaguete sets up assistance centers for the holidays

By Rachelle M. Nessia

DUMAGUETE CITY, Oct 30 (PIA) -- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Dumaguete Station has put up passenger assistance centers in identified seaports in the province in view of the expected heavy passenger traffic for the holidays this week. 

The centers had been put up since October 26 in three major seaports here, namely, Dumaguete port terminal, Sibulan port, and Tandayag port. 

"The passenger assistance centers will serve as a help desk to respond to the inquiries and needs of our passengers in the ports, in relation to their travel," said PCG Dumaguete Acting Station Commander Senior Chief Petty Officer Nelson Simbajon. 

The centers are manned by a composite team of personnel from PCG, Philippine Ports Authority, Maritime Police, and the Coast Guard Auxilliary, Simbajon said. 

"Although the passenger flow was still normal yesterday, I expect the passenger traffic to start increasing today," he added. 

Tight security measures have already been in place within the port areas. 

To avoid delays and hassles, Simbajon also advised sea vessel passengers to refrain from bringing with them items that are on the restricted cargoes list, such as flammable liquids and solids, corrosive materials, toxic and infectious substances, compressed gasses and radioactive materials and explosives. 

Simbajon said baggages with suspicious cargo will be put aside for their K-9 team to check for any explosive devices. (RMN-PIA7 Negros Oriental)