Following direct instructions from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ensure seamless holiday travel, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Giovanni Lopez has ordered the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to fast-track the deployment of additional vessels at Lucena ports.
The directive comes in response to reports of severe passenger congestion and long queues of travelers bound for Romblon and Marinduque for the Christmas season.
To mitigate the current shortage of commercial ferries, the DOTr has mobilized the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to provide emergency transport. Key measures include:
PCG “Libreng Sakay” (Free Rides): The BRP Gabriela Silang has been placed on standby to transport stranded passengers to Romblon if commercial capacity remains insufficient.
Fleet Augmentation: Two additional PCG vessels, the BRP Bagacay (from Manila) and the BRP Suluan (from Occidental Mindoro), each with a 100-passenger capacity, are being deployed to the route.
Marinduque Route Update: A newly arrived vessel with a 900-passenger capacity has been deployed to Lucena to clear the current backlog of 600 passengers bound for Marinduque.
The Transport Secretary expressed disappointment over the lack of foresight regarding the annual holiday rush, noting that the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) had warned of potential shortages days in advance.
“Every year we have the holiday rush; this is nothing new. They should have planned long ago,” the Secretary stated. “I have given firm instructions to always prioritize passenger comfort and convenience. I will ask MARINA to explain this lack of anticipation. This is unfair to our passengers and will be investigated.”
The DOTr remains in constant coordination with the PPA, MARINA, and the PCG to monitor passenger volume in real-time. The administration reaffirms its commitment to getting every Filipino home safely and quickly to their families for the holidays.
