Despite the influx of passengers this holiday season, the Philippine Ports Authority revealed that most shipping lines still have not invested in an online ticketing system, the reason why there are still long lines of passengers patiently securing vessel tickets in Batangas Port, the country's second-largest port.

"The passenger terminal here in Batangas Port has a capacity of 8,000 but the only problem here is the long queues of passengers buying tickets, as most of the vessel companies do not have online ticketing systems. Buying tickets here remains brick and mortar, that is why the process is so slow," said PPA general manager Atty. Jay Daniel Santiago during a media interview after a surprise inspection at the Batangas Port on Wednesday.

Santiago said the long lines could have been resolved if the online ticketing scheme that they proposed during the previous administration pushed through.

PPA's electronic terminal management system or ETMS project, was cancelled by the PPA Board this year.

It features unified electronic ticketing capabilities, pursuant to PPA Administrative Order No. 12-2019.

The AO—which was issued in November 2019—provides the rules for implementing a central ticketing system, an online application procedure that would support an integrated vessel booking, and a payment system for roll-on/roll-off ports.

The ETMS aims to "provide a digitized and systematized process of recording and simultaneous submission of passenger manifest and vessel voyage information which can effectively be scaled and extended to support future phases of the terminal management process at the PPA port terminals."

Passengers to hit 5 million

Santiago said for 27 December 2023 alone, they are expecting 17 to 18,000 passengers to flock to Batangas Port.

"From 16-26 December 2023, the total passenger arrival throughout the Philippines has already reached 2.4 million, so, we are expecting to reach the 5.2 million forecasts until 6 January 2024," he said.

The PPA top official maintains his advice to vessel passengers to arrive early in ports to avoid long queues and possible congestion, as the number of vessels plying domestic routes remains scarce.

"There are only 15 vessels from nine shipping lines that are currently serving passengers, which is obviously not enough," he said.

For its part, the Philippine Coast Guard said the situation in Batangas Port, as of noon on 27 December 2023 returned to normalcy.

"The Coast Guard Station (CGS) Batangas continues to monitor the influx of passengers to ensure smooth operations. Inside the terminal, the volume of passengers is currently high, reflecting the vibrant activity within the port. Additionally, there is a high volume of passengers outside the terminal near the yellow gate," the PCG report on Wednesday said.

Further, it said that the volume of rolling cargoes remains at a moderate level, contributing to the overall operational flow of the port.

"The Port of Batangas appreciates the cooperation and understanding of all passengers, port personnel, and stakeholders during this period. We are committed to maintaining a safe and efficient environment for all port users," it said.