The Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry has expressed alarm over the  recent  order of  Philippine  Ports  Authority general  manager Oscar  Sevilla  to indefinitely close the Dumaguete  City Port.

NOCCI  vice president Edward  Du said  the business  sector   will respect  the decision  of  the  PPA,  in the hope that , through  the  closure, they  could  come  up  with  an immediate   solution.

Businessmen will still  meet  and  discuss  possible alternative  solutions, as they and all  port users  will  incur  additional transportation  expenses for their goods, he added.

Du said an expected rise in prices of basic commodities will be felt by consumers, especially on goods transported from Manila and other provinces.

They will also discuss the possible filing of damage suits against the port  strikers, he also said. 

Meanwhile, shipping companies tried to ask for a few days to adjust  their  schedules and notify their passengers. Port manager Renato Tolinero   refused to give a leeway saying the decision is no longer within his jurisdiction.

Gleen Silawan, representative of a shipping firm, said they were completely surprised by the announcement of port closure as they were not ready for it.

He said there was a ship set to arrive at 4 p.m. Wednesday from Zamboanga City.

At present, another shipping company will have its Dapitan –Dumaguete route dock at Tampi wharf, in Amlan, approximately 18 kilometers from Dumaguete.

Another firm said it will continue with its regular route through the Sibulan wharf, which is at least, six kilometers from Dumaguete.

Passengers and cargo of another shipper will be  accommodated  by  the  Dumaguete  Oil Mills Incorporated port in  Bacong, Negros  Oriental, about 10 kilometers from Dumaguete.

A shipping line, on the other hand, has temporarily closed all its destinations to and from Dumaguete.*MA

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