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The Philippine Ports Authority and Cebu Port Authority are gearing up for the surge in passengers due to the observance of All Saints’ and Souls’ Day
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The agency expects about 1.622 million passengers this year, 5% more than the 1.544 million passengers recorded last year
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PPA prohibited employees from filing a leave from October 25 to November 4 to ensure full manpower during the period
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CPA will provide round-the-clock security, help desks and first-aid stations in ports under its premises
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CPA will also enforce a strict “No ticket, No ID, No Entry Policy”
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and Cebu Port Authority (CPA) are gearing up for the surge in passengers due to the observance of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day.
PPA in a statement said it anticipates an estimated 1.622 million passengers will travel through ports during the period, 5% more than the 1.544 million passengers recorded in the same period last year.
The agency has prohibited employees from filing a leave from October 25 to November 4 to ensure full manpower. PPA general manager Jay Daniel Santiago also directed all departments to ensure enough personnel—from operations to security—are deployed to provide full service to all passengers and port users.
During last year’s observance, PPA said ports under its port management office (PMO) of Panay/Guimaras handled the highest passenger traffic of 146,781, followed by ports under PMO Batangas with 146,710 passengers. Other ports with high passenger traffic last year were those under PMO Mindoro with 143,904 passengers, PMO Negros Oriental/Siquijor with 129,880, and PMO Bohol with 127,332.
In Batangas port, PPA said a new passenger entrance will be opened to provide easier entry and prevent scalpers or fixers selling travel insurance.
Santiago reminded passengers they are not required to buy a separate travel insurance since this is already included in their ticket from shipping lines.
Meanwhile, CPA in a statement said it has activated “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Undas 2024” to manage the anticipated surge of travelers from October 31 to November 5.
Together with the Philippine Coast Guard, Maritime Industry Authority, Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and other government instrumentalities, CPA said they will implement a comprehensive set of measures to enhance security and streamline operations across all ports in Cebu.
CPA general manager Francisco Comendador III said there will be round-the-clock security and K-9 units deployed over the six-day period to ensure safety and security of all port users within the port premises.
Last October 25, CPA’s Port Safety, Security and Environmental Management Department convened with representatives from Cebu’s shipping lines and cargo-handling service providers to reiterate the critical safety and security measures in place during the busy travel season.
To prevent overcrowding and ticket scalping, passengers were encouraged to book their tickets in advance. CPA will also enforce a strict “No ticket, No ID, No Entry Policy”, allowing only those with valid tickets and identification to enter the port area at least two hours prior to the departure of their vessel.
Comendador likewise urged passengers to avoid and report scalpers selling tickets at inflated prices.
Help desks and first-aid stations will be installed in passenger terminals to address any passenger concerns or emergencies that may arise.
In another development, PPA said it recorded P110.762 million worth of damages in ports caused by severe tropical storm Kristine (international name Trami) last week.
Santiago noted though there were no major damages recorded, and that shipping lines are back in operation.
PPA earlier said government delivery trucks and power restoration teams bound to areas hit by severe tropical storm Kristine will be given priority in ports, in support of the government’s aim to restore the supply of electricity in affected areas.
As of October 27, PPA said it had already serviced 13 vehicles carrying 223 personnel from various government agencies bound to Bicol, which logged the highest number of affected populations.
