SOLCOM deploys more vessels to ease sea transport, traffic flow of relief goods

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 21): SOLCOM deploys more vessels to ease sea transport, traffic flow of relief goods
The Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) through its Naval Forces deployed on Thursday transport vessels to ease traffic congestion on sea travels from Matnog port in Sorsogon to Allen port in Northern Samar.

SOLCOM Commander Lieutenant General Caesar Ronnie F. Ordoyo requested augmentation of the landing craft utility vessel BRP Tagbanua (AT 296) and M/V Ursula, M/V Natasha, M/V Reyna Emmaculada, LCT Mailing and LCT Viva to expedite transport of relief goods and passengers from various parts of Luzon to typhoon-devastated Leyte and Samar provinces in the Eastern Visayas region.

Montenegro Shipping Lines owns and operates the M/Vs Ursula, Natasha and Emmaculada vessels while LCTs Mailing and Viva were coordinated through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).

The Philippine Navy Auxiliary Reserve Unit (PNARU) is facilitating for another vessel which is to arrive at the area on Monday to augment sea transport operations and ferry stranded passengers.

The traffic volume in Matnog Pier has already stretched to a long queue of about 1.5 kilometers.

Lt. Gen. Ordoyo said these initiatives help decongest the number of stranded military troops, rescuers, relief operations and humanitarian mission caravan bound for Leyte and Samar.

“As of Thursday the ships had so far transported from Matnog crossing to Allen, Samar a total of 206 tons consisting of 14 trucks, 11 vans, a fuel tanker, a pick-up, 18 SUVs, a bus, 36 military personnel and 187 civilian passengers,” Ordoyo said.

In addition, the Command also deployed at least 40 military personnel in Matnog and Bulan Port to provide security assistance to those transporting relief goods and any other assistance to Samar and Leyte.

“Pinasasalamatan ko po ang ating kasundaluhan at iba’t-ibang sector ng ating lipunan dito sa SOLCOM sa kanilang dedikasyon at mabilis na pagkilos para lalong mapabilis ang ginagawa nating Humanitarian Assistance and Relief Operation,” the SOLCOM commanding general expressed.

(We thank our soldiers and various sectors at the SOLCOM for their dedication and speedy actions on the humanitarian assistance and relief operations.)

Matnog and Bulan Ports serve as the nearest entry points for transporting needed assistance into the devastated Visayan regions.

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