To be of better service to the commuting public, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) directs the maritime, land transportation, and aviation agencies to establish a “Malasakit Help Desk (MHD)” in major transportation hubs across the Philippines that will serve as a one-stop shop for passenger assistance, assigning lead agencies and members thereof per transportation sector and area of responsibility.

For the maritime in Misamis Oriental and Camiguin, the Philippine Port Authority – Port Management Office of Misamis Oriental/Cagayan de Oro (PPA PMO MO/C) was assigned to lead the establishment and operation of the MHD in the ports of Cagayan de Oro, Balingoan, and Benoni, in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Maritime Industrial Authority (MARINA), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and the Office of Transportation Security (OTS).

As the lead coordinator that shall ensure the smooth process and operations of the MHD, the PPA PMO MO/C called for a meeting with the abovementioned partner agencies on 25 January 2019 for leveling and planning, particularly on the manning requirements, operational requirements, resource-sharing and platforms for the exchange of inter-agency communications.— By IMR Lam