PPA announces halt in cargo handling on new
year’s event
By Eugenio Lira, Jr.
SURIGAO CITY, Dec. 29 (PIA) — A temporary work
stoppage in cargo handling operations will be enforced at the Surigao City port
to pave the way for observance of the traditional new year celebration,
following a directive issued on Friday, December 27, by the Philippine Ports
Authority.
Port Manager Isidro Butaslac, Jr. said he issued
Port Management Office Memorandum Circular No. 010-2013 to give ample time for
port workers and their families to enjoy a meaningful celebration of the advent
of the new year.
“This temporary work stoppage will only cover 37
hours from 6:30 in the evening of December 31, 2013 until 7:30 a.m. on January
2, 2014. However, during this period, the cargo handling operator which is the
Prudential Customs Brokerage Services, Inc. (PCBSI) will still deploy a
skeletal workforce to attend to the needs of our port clientele,” Butaslac
said.
He said he already informed all the stakeholders
in the port such as the shipping companies, shippers, consignees, cargo
handling contractor and other port users so they could adjust on the scheduled
brief suspension of cargo handling operations.
“While there will be ‘light transactions’ and
zero cargo traffic on the said period, our port police under the command of
PP/Superintendent Froilan Caturla are enforcing a heightened security alert to
enable us to respond on any eventualities within our area of responsibility,”
Butaslac concluded. (FEA/ELJ/PIA-Caraga)
