The Philippine Ports Authority on Friday disclosed that the influx of passengers in Batangas Port has now reached the pre-pandemic level, especially during the holiday rush, according to PPA spokesperson Eunice Samonte.

Samonte said that the Port of Batangas is currently averaging more or less 50,000 passengers daily and reached the peak last Sunday, 18 December 2022 and as of 6 a.m. Friday, the port recorded 39,952 passengers going to various provinces.

Also on Friday, PPA general manager Jay Daniel Santiago personally inspected Batangas Port and admitted that foot traffic at the said port has already reached the pre-pandemic levels this Christmas Season.

"With 25,000 passengers plus, definitely this is a pre-pandemic state already, as we have only recorded 25-27,000 passengers in 2019. So far, there's no untoward incident recorded, aside from the confiscation of raw meat bound for Oriental Mindoro by the Bureau of Quarantine because of the fear of the African Swine Fever," Santiago said.

He further urged vessel passengers to invoke their Passenger Bill of Rights to shipping companies in the event that their journey will be canceled, especially if it's not their fault.

The Maritime Industry Authority in 2019 clearly established the rights of passengers in cases of canceled, delayed, or uncompleted voyages through MARINA Circular 2018-07 addressed to all owners and operators of inter-island passenger liner ships, emphasizing that all passengers of a canceled or delayed trip have the right to information, right to refund or revalidation of the ticket, right to amenities, and right to compensation.

Santiago said the PPA is ready to give food and water to stranded passengers.

Meanwhile, the PPA chief personally witnessed the long lines of vehicles at the entrance of the said port, that's why he called on shipping companies and MARINA to check the cause of the long lines of vehicles that are having a hard time entering the said port.

Also, Santiago was surprised when he received complaints from passengers that they suffered a 12 to 30 percent fare increase imposed by shipping lines.