ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Basilan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) expresses grave concern and disappointment over the “deteriorating quality of vessel services” plying the Zamboanga to Basilan route.

 BCCI president Alex Abujen Jr. said yesterday that the people of the province are suffering from unreliable schedules, unsafe and overcrowded conditions of passengers on board the vessels and fastcrafts serving the Zamboanga City–Isabela City route. 

Abujen said vessels serving Zamboanga City to Isabela City in Basilan exhibit poor customer service conditions, a service that violates the maritime safety standards and the dignity of our people.

 The BCCI is calling for immediate and decisive action to be adopted by shipping line owners, operators and authorities to address four major concerns of the people of Basilan province. 

 These concerns could enhance the ferry services to the people of Basilan, the BCCI said.

 These are the immediate crackdown on illegal ticket selling and fixers operating in the port terminals; full audit and inspection of vessels serving the Zamboanga-Basilan route; strict enforcement of maritime safety protocols and passenger regulations and dialogue with Maritime Industry Authority, Coast Guard, LGUs and shipping companies to ensure long-term reforms that could protect the interests of commuters.

He also emphasized to the shipping lines owners and operators and authorities that “Basilan is not a second-class province. Our people deserve safe, dignified and lawful services.”

Additionally, he said, “We are now seeing the alarming rise of fixers selling tickets outside the shipping line’s official ticket counters and often at overpriced rates and without any accountability.”

This illegal practice exploits ordinary passengers, especially students and workers, and adds another layer of corruption and chaos to an already broken system, Abujen lamented.

 These are not isolated incidents; they reflect the systemic failure of authorities that could place lives at risk and hinder the economic and social mobility of our people, the BCCI president said.