Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon issued a circular to prevent overloading in sea travel and ordered electronic ticketing at Batangas Port to ensure the safety, comfort and less travel time of passengers, especially this Holy Week.
“I signed a joint memorandum circular between PPA [Philippine Ports Authority], MARINA [Maritime Industry Authority], Coast Guard and DOTr on anti-overloading for sea travel. The most important thing, especially during this time when there are so many travelers, is the safety of our countrymen,” Dizon said after inspecting the Batangas Port Thursday.
Dizon said that under the anti-overloading circular, PPA would ensure the efficient operations of seaports.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will strictly implement the weight limit of vessels based on boarding passengers and vehicles, while the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) will impose penalty on a shipping company that violates anti-overloading.
“The government is serious about this. We will not compromise, we will not risk the safety and security of our travelers,” Dizon said.
Dizon said another anti-overloading measure is the e-ticketing system, where passengers can buy tickets through kiosks inside the port.
“We have approved and will PPA rollout the e-ticketing system. Our travelers no longer need to line up and get physical tickets,” he said.
“E-ticketing will help a lot to avoid overload. Once e-ticketing is in place, we will be able to monitor if there is too much ticket sales, stop it,” he said.
Dizon cited the improvements at the passenger terminal building (PTB) of the Batangas Port such as clean comfort rooms, covered walkway for passengers, prayer room, nursing room as well as luggage trolley and shuttle for seniors and persons with disabilities (PWDs).