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The Cebu Port Authority is placing all ports in Cebu under heightened alert with the anticipated influx of passengers during the Holy Week
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The heightened alert is from April 2 to April 10, 2023
The Cebu Port Authority (CPA) will place all ports in Cebu under heightened alert from April 2 to April 10, 2023 due to the anticipated influx of passengers during the Holy Week.
CPA through its Port Security, Safety and Environmental Management Department (PSSEMD) earlier finalized preparations in coordination with all Cebu port management officers, maritime and enforcement partners, and other agency partners and port stakeholders.
Starting April 2, CPA will deploy additional port police officers in ports with high passenger traffic to enforce port safety and security protocols.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency will conduct random inspection and K-9 sweeping as part of the intensified campaign to interdict drug couriers passing through seaports.
The Philippine Coast Guard will deploy bomb sniffing dogs in port areas and passenger terminal buildings (PTB).
CPA recorded a total of 345,445 passengers during last year’s Holy Week period. For this year, CPA is expecting to double the number of passengers given zero COVID restrictions and the long weekend.
Last March 24, CPA announced that wearing of face mask inside its PTBs is optional following the issuance of CPA Memorandum Circular 03 series of 2023 dated March 20, 2023 and in accordance with Executive Order No. 7, which allowed the voluntary use of face mask in indoor and outdoor settings.
The use of facemask, however, is still encouraged for the elderly, individuals with comorbidities, immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, unvaccinated individuals, and symptomatic individuals.
Only passengers with ship tickets and valid identification cards will be allowed entry into the port at least hours from the scheduled departure time. CPA will strictly impose the “No ticket, No ID, No Entry Policy.”
The public is also reminded not to avail of any tickets from unauthorized persons and to book tickets in advance to avoid heavy queuing outside the port area where most ticketing outlets are located.
First-aid stations and Malasakit Help Desks will also be activated to provide passenger assistance and support for a wide range of travel needs.
