Gov issues Bohol inbound

Cargo handling protocols

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, March 25, (PIA)—Of the very few people who can get to Bohol from outside, they have to pass two screening protocols to get past the checkpoints and they are not even allowed to step away from their vehicles.

With total travel restriction for inbound passengers to Bohol already imposed and on its second week, many may ask, how about the supply for Bohol’s daily needs?

Of Executive Order No 8, declaring the community quarantine which closes the island province of Bohol, which bars all foreign vessels from docking in all ports of entry and all crew from disembarking and stepping to Bohol, a succeeding Executive Order detailed exceptions to the travel ban.

Among those granted travel passes to Bohol are persons providing basic services and domestic air and sea cargo, which comes to Bohol on board roll-on-roll off vessels and driven to delivery destinations within the island.

Now comes Executive Order No. 11, signed by Governor Arthur Yam March 16, which details the protocols in handling of cargoes by sea travel in connection with the implementation of the measures to address the on-going threat of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

With concerns by affected sectors in the implementation of the travel restrictions especially in the movement of cargoes, the protocols have to be passed, according to Gov. Yap.

For cargo handlers, the EO said only allowed to travel with the cargo are drivers and a maximum of two helpers or truck boys.

And then, they may enter Bohol as long as they undergo the required medical protocol.

The medical protocol, the EO said are the mandatory temperature check, without any fever, colds or cough. 

Upon passing the same in their port of entry, they shall not be allowed to leave without yet undergoing another screening: that of the African Swine Fever (ASF) quarantine protocol.

The ASF quarantine protocols include disinfecting the trucks and cargoes with chemicals on spray, and mandatory footbath for the accompanying driver and helpers.

After passing through the protocol, a certificate of compliance would be issued by the designated personnel of the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian, the same certification would be their passes in all checkpoints, or they would be denied entry.

Beyond that, to ensure even more protection for Bohol, the movement of these personnel and their vehicles are limited to their final point of destination, using the shortest way of land travel.

In transit, these personnel are not even allowed to leave their trucks and any diversion would be deemed illegal.

For boat deliveries  like for fishing boats landing in Bohol, also long as the boat crew can present proper certifications for the transport of fishery and marine products, and the crew did not disembark but only received the cargo from its seaport of origin, the coats can dock but the crew are barred from disembarking still. (rahchiu/PIA-7/Bohol)

SMOOTH DELIVERY. Amid dwindling vehicles on the roads due to the community quarantine in Bohol, delivery vans continue to ply their routes to assure people that nobody gets hungry for lack of food supply amid the COVID-19 situation. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol )