A community pantry was set up exclusively for porters at Bredco Port, who are affected by the non-operation of the three fast crafts operating Bacolod to Iloilo, and vice versa, until May 31.
The travel moratorium was requested by the City Government of Iloilo, that was placed under the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine status by the National Inter-Agency Task Force.
The community pantry was initiated by the Office of Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, in partnership with small business groups in the city.
Fifty-three porters received five kilos of rice, a tray of eggs, and one whole dressed chicken.
Some port employees and fastcraft crewmembers were also assisted.
Familiaran said the pantry was in response to the call of the business sector to assist directly-affected port workers.
The fastcraft offices identified the porters who received the assistance.
Porters in Roll On, Roll Off vessels bound for Manila are still earning a daily income since the trips were not affected by the Negros to Iloilo travel moratorium.
Familiaran said he hopes that the travel moratorium that started May 25 will not be extended since the port economy is already affected.
Earlier, Weesam Express operations and financial consultant, Frank Carbon, estimated a daily economic loss of P1 million to P2 million per day because of the nonoperation of the fast crafts.
Some fast craft operators gave their employees their salaries in advance, subject to deduction once normal operations resume. โ MML
