SAN JOSE, Antique – The Evelio B. Javier Airport and seaports in this province are now open for operations, Gov. Rhodora Cadiao said.
Cadiao signed on Wednesday Executive Order 65-A which permits operations for road, rail, maritime, and aviation sectors of public transportation to resume in line with the Omnibus Guidelines on the implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines.
“The airport and all seaports in the province of Antique shall now be allowed to transport passengers and cargoes, provided that a strict one-meter distance among passengers is observed and appropriate engineering controls are in place,” said Cadiao in her order.
This province’s resumption of operations is timely with the expected arrival of 500 locally stranded individuals (LSIs) from Metro Manila via a roll-on, roll-off vessel. The LSIs are composed of Antiqueño students, construction personnel and other displaced workers.
A special arrangement was recently made by Antique lone district representative Loren Legarda to help them return home.
The LSIs are expected to leave Batangas port on June 7 and will be transported directly to the Lipata port in the municipality of Culasi, Antique on board the FastCat roll on-roll off on June 8, provincial information officer Junlie Saylo said on Thursday.
Aside from Lipata, the ports of Libertad and Caluya are opening, Philippine Coast Guard Station commander Perlita Cinco said.
“We are advising sea vessel passengers to observe the health protocols,” she added.
Meanwhile, Cadiao said during her meeting with the municipal mayors and the Inter-Agency Task Force on May 29 she was informed that Philippine Airlines (PAL) will soon resume its operations at the Evelio B. Javier Airport which is located here.
During the period of the enhanced community quarantine, the airport was only utilized to transport medicines and personal protective equipment from Metro Manila.
PAL, which flies to Clark from Antique and vice-versa every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday, has yet to make an official announcement as to when it will resume operations in Antique.(With a report from PNA/PN)
