Fast craft operations between Iloilo City and Bacolod City will resume today, June 20, according to the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA-6).
Jose Venancio Vero, MARINA-6 director, said each fast craft operator will operate two round trips a day.
Fast craft and passenger vessels were grounded in March following the imposition of travel and border restrictions due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Vero said the operators are allowed to carry only 50 percent of their normal capacity to ensure physical distancing.
“They are also required to impose minimum health standards like wearing of face masks,” he added.
The maritime regulator said travelers need not to worry about fare hikes.
“On our regulation, it is not allowed to raise fares because they first need to notify the public at least 10 days prior to the increase of fare,” Vero said.
The trips from Bacolod City to Iloilo City and vice versa are only not limited to locally-stranded individuals (LSIs).
“It is okay if you are not an LSI. You can report for work and return home in the afternoon,” Vero said.
He told those who are planning to travel to bring with them government-issued identification cards as proof of residency.
The two cities and the rest of the Western Visayas region are currently under MGCQ (modified general community quarantine), the lowest form of community quarantine.IMT
