The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is calling on the government to approve its proposed mandatory online ticketing system for passengers to avoid overcrowding at ports, as there is a shortage of transport ships and a need for additional vessels.
In an interview during Dos Por Dos on Monday, PPA General Manager Jay Santiago said the operations of the ports are generally running smoothly. The only ports being closely monitored are those in Batangas City, where there is really a heavy influx of people.
Santiago described the situation as "record breaking" in terms of the number of people passing through the area. Normally, around 20,000 to 21,000 passengers pass through daily, but since Friday, this number has surged to 25,000 per day.
"Ang problema, medyo mahaba po 'yung pila, both sa sasakyan at mga pasahero. Ang barko naman po natin ay tuloy-tuloy ang biyahe, nasa 50 biyahe na po tayo araw-araw, kaya lang napakarami po talagang taong dumagsa ngayon. Kami po ay humihingi ng pasensya sa mga kababayan natin," said Santiago.
Santiago explained that the 50 ships were insufficient as they did not anticipate the large number of passengers coming every day. He mentioned that the online ticketing system would help them better manage and count the number of passengers traveling on a particular day.
The mandatory online ticketing system would help authorities identify and plan trips more efficiently. Due to its absence, most passengers are "walk-ins" who flock to port terminals.
"Hanggang ngayon po ay hindi pa natutugunan ang ating panawagan na mandatory na po ang online ticketing sa mga barko natin at magdagdag po ng mga byahe," Santiago noted.
Additionally, the Maritime Industry Authority's scheduling was not followed due to the overwhelming number of passengers.
"Basta napuno, aalis na po iyan. Pero sadya po talagang kulang, kaya nananawagan tayo ng additional na barko at mga trips," Santiago added.
According to Santiago, some passengers are reportedly waiting in the terminal for 4 to 5 hours as many people flock to ports, even if they arrived earlier.
