Zamboanga's ports of entry reopen under tight security, as gov't attempts return to normalcy

From InterAksyon (Sep 18): Zamboanga's ports of entry reopen under tight security, as gov't attempts return to normalcy

The government has resumed operations at Zamboanga's ports of entry, albeit on a limited scale, in a bid to bring back normalcy to a city wracked by violent clashes between the miliary and a renegade group belonging to the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Wednesday announced that it has partially lifted the suspension order on Zamboanga Airport.

CAAP Director-General William K. Hotchkiss today told reporters that PAL Express and Cebu Pacific would each month a flight tomorrow. By Friday, both carriers can mount two flights each.

Hotchkiss said the agency lifted the Notice to Airman (Notam) because "of improving situation at the Zamboanga airport." The Notam would have been in effect until September 21.

Hotchkiss said CAAP Deputy Director-General Captain John C. Andrews will board the first flight out of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) tomorrow to oversee the preliminary flight.

Yesterday, Hotchkiss and Andrews took a private plane to Zamboanga to assess the situation and consulted the Crisis Management Committee chaired by Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and Zamboanga Mayor Isabelle Climaco-Salazar.

Upon assessment of the security situation, Hotchkiss conferred with airline representative in the area to arrange the opening of flights starting September 19.
Andrews said airline passengers will only be allowed to carry one hand carried luggage on the flights.

in an advisory, Cebu Pacific said it will get in touch with passengers originally booked on the Manila-Zamboanga-Manila flight for September 19 to find out if they want to take the flight or rebook or get a refund.

For those taking the flight, Cebu Pacific advised passengers to bring only one carry-on bag weighing no more than seven kilos and to check in early.

The country's largest budget carrier asked customers to be patient, as the CAAP allowed only one flight for that day, adding that the suspension was beyond the airline's control.

Minimal impact

In a separate advisory, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) also today said operations at the Zamboanga City baseport has resumed, but under tight security amid continued fighting between government troops and the MNLF.

PPA said its employees and other port workers reported for work "under tight security watch by the Philippine Coast Guard and other government security allies." The agency had suspended operations at the port last September 9.

PPA expects the suspension to have had a minimal impact on shipping firms as some vessel calls and cargo were diverted to the Port of Dapitan in Zamboanga del Norte.

The Zamboanga City baseport is the main port of entry to the Zamboanga peninsula, with a cargo throughput of 1.71 million metric tons, based on 2012 data. Of the total, domestic cargo reached 1.65 million metric tons and international cargo, 63,519.

The port also handled 2.41 million domestic passengers last year. As the region’s commercial center, Zamboanga City serves as the peninsula's trade link to other Southeast Asian nations, and to the rest of the world.

"Mini-Marshall plan"

As the government moves to bring back normalcy to Zamboanga City, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) pledged full support for post-crisis recovery once the standoff, now on its 10^th day, is resolved.

In a statement issued today, the country's largest organization of businessmen said it will provide support as follows:

- Extend immediate relief and social services to the areas affected by the standoff in Zamboanga City;

- Help business operations get back on track; and

- Rebuild damaged infrastructure.

PCCI president Miguel Varela said the board in a meeting yesterday agreed to back a "mini-Marshall plan" to bring back Zamboanga City on its knees.

PCCI said Zamboanga City accounts for 40 percent of gross regional domestic product and is home to 16 canning factories supplying 80 per ent of the country’s sardines. The city also is the gateway to other Asean countries when the region's economic integration starts in 2015.

Citing Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) data, PCCI said the standoff in Zamboanga City cut back money circulation by P50 billion during the first nine days of the conflict.

Varela said PCCI will ask government to expedite the processing and release of calamity loans from the Social Security System, Government Service Insurance System, Pag-Ibig, and other government financial institutions.

As well, the business group will push for the suspension of the minimum wage for new labor market entrants in Zamboanga City in the next six months.

PCCI also will ask banks to extend the grace period for loan payments.

http://www.interaksyon.com/business/71006/zamboangas-ports-of-entry-reopen-under-tight-security-as-govt-attempts-return-to-normalcy