Truckers endure 63-km traffic on road leading to Matnog Port in Sorsogon

For more than a week now, truck drivers and helpers have been stuck along a road leading to Matnog Port in Sorsogon, waiting for their turn to board roll-on roll-off vessels to their destinations.

 

The queue had grown to a long 63 kilometers as of Tuesday, according to a report on GMA News' Unang Balita.

 

Worse, officials could not immediately say when the truck drivers' and helpers' ordeal will end.

 

The queue started when the Philippine Coast Guard suspended sea trips at Matnog Port due to the threat of recent cyclones, including Typhoon Dodong (Noul).

 

For more than eight days, the truckers complained there was no order in their queue, with some trying to jump the line to board RORO vessels earlier.

 

Some of them also complained their budgets for food were good only for three days—and if they spend more, they cannot bring home any money to their families.

 

Yet another problem is the hot weather.

 

Many of the truckers are coping by sleeping, bathing, cooking, and even washing clothes.

 

For its part, the Coast Guard admitted a delay since the priority is for buses, light vehicles and trucks with perishable items to board ROROs.

 

"Nagkasabay-sabay po kaya isa po 'yan sa kadahilanan na kaya natatambak dito sa Matnog ang trucking po natin," said Enrico Andal of the Coast Guard. —Joel Locsin/KG, GMA News