Maguindanao port authority relocates 500 families

COTABATO CITY -- About 500 families or more than 1,000 individuals will be displaced once the Polloc Port Management in Parang, Maguindanao will construct fences around the free port in Barangay Polloc.The port management conducted a meeting with the affected families Monday to explain the management's decision to fence the port and prevent outsiders from coming in unless they are working at the free port or passengers of commercial vehicles.Abubakar Rodel, Polloc barangay secretary and spokesperson of the affected families, said his group has appealed to the management for them not to move away from the port. Our livelihood is in the port, he said.But port manager Atty. Mimbalawag Mangutara said the management has decided to relocate the families living within the premises of the Polloc Port and will impose stricter policies banning vendors from operating inside.