Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez today ordered a full-scale mobilization of key maritime agencies and mandated the accelerated adoption of online ticketing systems to ensure the safety and comfort of millions of passengers traveling to the provinces for the upcoming Undas holiday (All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day).
The directive followed an on-site inspection of the Batangas Port on Monday, part of the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) rotation of transport hubs, which aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s instruction to prioritize safe and smooth passenger travel.
Acting Secretary Lopez strictly instructed the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to keep government personnel constantly on standby at the ports to meet the needs of passengers.
“You have to ensure that you’ll assist the passengers. When issues arise, you are the first ones they will approach,” Acting Secretary Lopez stated, stressing the agencies’ front-line duty.
During the inspection, the transport chief toured a Roll-on Roll-off (RORO) vessel to personally verify that all life vests and emergency readiness facilities were properly secured and ready for use. He also inspected the Batangas Port Passenger Terminal, which boasts a massive 8,000-person capacity, noting that essential facilities—including comfort rooms, waiting areas for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs), and adequate seating—were operational and well-maintained with cold air conditioning.
A key directive issued by Acting Secretary Lopez concerned modernizing ticketing processes. After inspecting ticketing booths, he strongly urged all shipping lines to implement online ticketing systems immediately.
“I received reports that there are other shipping lines that do not have an online system. It is sometimes more difficult to monitor if our passengers are overloaded without it. Overloading is not allowed, so we really need to go online,” he explained.
He reinforced the President’s vision for efficiency, adding, “We have always reminded them [shipping lines] that they should implement online ticketing. As our President said, when online, no line. It will be faster and more convenient for passengers.”
The DOTr and PPA are preparing for a massive influx of travelers, with up to 22,000 passengers per day expected to arrive at Batangas Port starting October 30. Nationwide, an estimated 2.2 million passengers are anticipated to pass through ports heading to the provinces between October 27 and November 5.
PPA General Manager Jay Santiago assured the public that the safety of passengers remains paramount. GM Santiago also confirmed a commitment to travelers’ expenses, stating, “Until the end of the year, we will not have an increase in terminal fees. That is what PPA can promise.”
