Strategies Ensure safe, secure, efficient transport support to passengers and cargoes
Ensure the immediate and efficient resumption of port and airport operations upon the lifting of community quarantines. The region must prepare for the entry of more vessels, ensuring the efficient discharging and loading of cargoes at the port upon the lifting of ECQ. Port operations and security procedures will be enhanced with the provision of additional manpower in order to respond to increased shipcalls, rolling cargoes and passengers after quarantine protocols. Health advisories issued by the Bureau of Quarantine will be strictly adhered to, especially by personnel involved in ship’s loading and discharging of cargoes. Port patrol will be conducted by PPA, together with Philippine Coast Guard, to monitor vessel’s crew and advise all shipping companies of the protocols. Information drive to all shippers and consignees on the new protocol will be conducted. Ensure smooth interzonal and intrazonal movement of people and goods. The unhampered movement of all types of cargoes by land, air, or sea within and across areas placed under any form of community quarantine will be ensured. Workers in the logistics sector, such as cargo, trucking, courier delivery and port operations will be allowed to transit across areas placed under any form of community quarantine, provided that necessary measures will be put in place to observe established health protocols. All LGUs will strictly abide with national policy as approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force to ease movement of essential goods. Establish crisis communication management system among exporters, importers, and the government to ensure seamless movement of cargoes. The initial confusion related to exemptions on the movement of cargo during the ECQ highlighted the need for the establishment of a crisis communication management system that will specify the protocols and procedures in critical or emergency situations. A registry or database of importers and traders needs to be developed for the easy issuance of permits and passes. An integrated website that tracks real time information on cargo release, availability of supply, production, and inventory could also be explored between the national government, LGUs, and the private sector. Redesign facilities in ports, airports and bus terminals to ensure physical distancing and observance of quarantine protocols. Temporary facilities will be constructed for queuing of passengers. Seating arrangement will have to be modified and walk/buffer fences, wash basins/foot baths and additional chairs will be provided. Ports and airports will properly cordon embarking and disembarking passengers. Ports will provide covered walkway from gangway to exit gate of about 80 lineal meter in length. There will be designated vehicle lanes for queueing, pavement markings, road signages and gate booths will be put in place. Booths for the guards handling the queues will have to be secured. Procedures that need to be implemented by the Bureau of Customs or Bureau of Quarantine should be coordinated with PPA and CAAP as early as in the planning stage and not just at the implementation stage. This includes provision of space for installation of x-ray machines and other infrastructure support.
Western Visayas COVID-19 Regional Recovery Plan Thematic Strategies to Mitigate Losses 114
