Lamitan: The city government of Lamitan distributed food assistance on Thursday to port workers who temporarily lost their livelihoods due to travel suspensions following the January 26 sinking of a commercial ferry off the waters of Basilan. Lamitan City Mayor Roderick Furigay said a total of 95 individuals received support, including 66 porters, 25 vendors, and four mooring workers.
According to Philippines News Agency, the port workers lost their livelihoods after the Department of Transportation suspended the entire passenger fleet of Aleson Shipping Lines (ASL) on January 27. Twenty-nine passengers perished when the Trisha Kerstin 3, an ASL vessel, sank on Monday, some 2.75 nautical miles northeast of Baluk-Baluk Island, Hadji Muhtaman, Basilan.
The passenger vessel was sailing to Jolo, Sulu, coming from Zamboanga City at the time of the incident. Lamitan City, one of Basilan's major trading centers, has been adversely affected since the ALS is the only shipping company serving the area, with four round-trips daily.
Furigay, who led the food aid distribution, said the assistance included grocery packages. Lamitan City Port Manager Maria Florencia Candelaria Bisal expressed gratitude to Furigay and to Basilan Provincial Board Member Juhan Hataman for their relief efforts.
