By Manny Piñol
Gov't can't appear helpless!
MATNOG LOGJAM CONTINUES;
NO IMMEDIATE SOLUTION SEEN
The chaos at the Port of Matnog in Sorsogon, a vital link in the logistical network which connects Mindanao, Eastern Visayas and Luzon, has gotten worse.
In spite of the series of appeals and social media postings on the problems encountered by truckers and private motorists who had to wait for several days before they could be accommodated in the few ferry boats crossing the San Bernardino Channel between Sorsogon and Samar, there seems to end in sight.
I would like to apologize and beg for understanding but I have to bring the Matnog Port Problem in the limelight again because of two reasons:
1. Many of the stranded truckers actually are the ones bringing Mindanao's goods to Luzon and critical supplies, including medical items in preparation for the COVID 19 vaccination, on the way back;
2. I am part of this government and the inaction by people who are supposed to handle this is making us in government look like useless deadwoods who could not address simple problems like a port congestion.
Last week, following a post I made on the chaotic situation at Matnog, an official of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) posted what she said was the outcome of the meeting of an inter-agency task group handling the problem.
Three problems were pointed out as the cause of the chaos:
1) Harsh sea conditions;
2) Shortage of vessels servicing the route;
3.) Issue on scalpers/corruption involving queueing of trucks outside port premises, which is under the jurisdiction of the Provincial Police, and not under the DOTr nor the PPA.
This is a pathetic "wash your hands" and finger-pointing exercise.
Pati dagat nasisi. Hindi naman araw-araw masama ang panahon.
The question that should be asked is: Since the problems have been identified, what actions have been done?
If there is a shortage of commercial vessels servicing the area, why don't we call in the Philippine Navy and help diffuse the problem?
Or engage other maritime companies to take over the route and punish the existing ferry operators for violating their CPCs.
The issue of scalpers and corruption is a very simple problem but there is a need to put somebody on top of the whole thing to call the shots.
The video that I attached to this post today was taken only three days ago and the sources revealed to me that the going rate now for truckers to be accommodated is P10,000 per truck, of which only P5,000 will be covered by receipts.
I call on the agencies involved in the Matnog Port operations to handle this problem because this is affecting our economic recovery in Mindanao.
This is hurting our food producers and suppliers and in the end the Metro Manila consumers will also suffer because of higher prices.
Most of all, we cannot allow this to continue because it would result in people losing trust and confidence in government's capability to protect them and safeguard their interests.
Government is mighty and it is the great equalizer.
But government's righteous power could only be exercised if we in government are aware of our legal duties and moral obligations.
Let us do something about the Matnog Problem now!
#GovernmentIsVeryPowerful!
#GovernmentMustProtectPeople!
(This video taken three days ago was forwarded to me by a respected businessman in Mindanao who said his truck drivers had to shell out P10,000 each to be accommodated.)
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