Passenger travel on both sea and air are suspended in compliance with the government’s enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon.
In implementing guidelines issued by Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), all passenger shipping operations in the whole of Luzon were suspended during the period of the ECQ effective 12 a.m. of March 17 and expiring on 12 a.m. of April 13
However, the cargo transport via sea shall continue to facilitate the movement of basic goods and commodities. Roll-on/roll-off passenger vessels shall continue to operate in their authorized routes of the carriage of rolling cargoes only.
MARINA said the sea travel in areas outside of Luzon shall be subject to quarantine measures and/or travel restriction issued by local government units (LGUs) and shall observe 50 percent reduced capacity onboard to facilitate social distancing of one seat or bunk apart.
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) also issued guidelines for unhampered cargo movements amid the Luzon-wide quarantine with the suspension of cargo permit.
Jay Daniel Santiago, PPA general manager, said the new memorandum virtually allows all cargo owners to withdraw or deposit cargoes normally as if there is no ECQ.
“The new guidelines will only require the presentation of any of the existing transport documents such as bill of lading, waybills or any related documents to the concerned inspecting/validating officers and which shall serve as their entry/exit documents,” Santiago said.
Philippine Airlines (PAL), Cebu Pacific and AirAsia Philippines will suspend the local and international operations despite the lifting of the 72-hour deadline originally expiring March 20 for departing overseas Filipino workers, balikbayan and foreign nationals.
All flights of Cebu Pacific and its unit Cebgo will be cancelled from March 19 until April 14, 2020.
PAL said all its domestic flights are cancelled effective March 17, 2020 and will resume on April 13, 2020, and international flights will operate up to midnight of March 19 and will resume on April 12.
AirAsia Philippines has cancelled all its domestic flights at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, while domestic flights out of Clark International airport will be cancelled starting March 20, 2020 up to April 14, 2020.
International flights to/from both airports will also be cancelled starting March 20 until April 14.
Meanwhile, Department of Transportation has ordered the Land Transportation Office and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to extend the deadline for the renewal of permits, licenses, and franchises to April 2020.
