The international cruise terminal operated by Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI) at Pier 15 of Manila South Harbor is shifting its role to serve a higher and timelier purpose in support of the government’s efforts against the COVID-19 pandemic.
ATI is making available its Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) and adjacent berthing facilities as added temporary quarantine areas in response to the government’s call for solidarity, particularly in mobilizing interim healthcare facilities needed amid the national health crisis.
The PTB with 2,000-seating capacity will be converted into a temporary holding facility while Pier 15’s two southside berths will accommodate the floating hospital vessels being deployed by Department of Transportation (DOTr).
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), agencies attached under the DOTr along with DPWH as members of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, are leading the terminal’s conversion.
Pier 15’s southside berths are strategically located near PCG’s national headquarters, guaranteeing strict isolation, tight area security and regular disinfection. This will ensure that the temporary quarantine facility will be totally secluded from the general stevedoring operations at Pier 15 which will continue operating as usual from the northside berths, handling international non-containerized cargoes.
ATI units originally located at the cruise terminal, such as the General Stevedoring, Billing and Collections and Medical Office, will be transferred to the South Harbor Operations Center (SHOC) to ensure seamless operations.
Meanwhile, the Operations Division of the Bureau of Customs (BOC)-Port of Manila holding office at the cruise terminal after a fire hit the bureau in February 2019 is moving to BOC’s headquarters to ensure the unhampered processing and expeditious release of shipments.
During this Holy Week and all throughout the Enhanced Community Quarantine period, Manila South Harbor remains business as usual, serving as gateway for containerized and non-containerized cargoes and keeping vital goods and economic commodities flowing in the supply-chain 24/7. Consignees are encouraged to pullout cargoes in a timely manner to ensure healthy and sustainable port operations.