Gensanportal - Mindanao News Blog

DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya shakes hands with PP/Superintendent Froilan Caturla during his recent visit in Surigao City. At center is Port Manager Isidro Butaslac, Jr.

PORT OF SURIGAO CITY— A temporary work stoppage in cargo handling operations will be enforced in this premier port of Caraga Region 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. told Manila Standard he issued PMO 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. (By Eugenio Lira, Jr.)