The Philippine Ports Authority warned yesterday that shipping lines must embrace digitization or irate passengers waiting to board domestic vessels during peak seasons will continue to be a problem at various ports.

The PPA was reacting to a story posted on DAILY TRIBUNE's social media page of one such flabbergasted passenger, netizen Lorie Licop, who narrated her "harrowing" experience at the Balanacan Port in Mogpog, Marinduque.

Licop took to Facebook her complaints that she and her fellow passengers had to endure the scorching heat while waiting for their ship to arrive at the port. 

In a video shared by a netizen on Facebook, passengers at Balanacan Port are lining up along the diversion road with no shelter to protect them from the sun's heat.

"The PPA or the local government unit could have at least provided tents for the waiting passengers," one of the passengers said.

The PPA sent over tents for the passengers queuing under the sun at the Balanacan Port in Mogpog.

PPA general manager, Atty. Jay Daniel Santiago, through the PPA Port Management Office Marinduque and Quezon, said they immediately responded to alleviate the plight of more than passengers.

"Three shipping lines, namely, Starhorse, Montenegro, and M. Kristina, will accommodate the passengers bound for Lucena Port. The estimated arrival time of one Starhorse vessel is 12:45 p.m., Montenegro's ETA is 1 p.m., M Kristina's at 2 p.m., and another Starhorse vessel at 2 p.m.," Santiago said.

The PPA also sent over tents to serve as shelters for the queueing passengers, as the Port Terminal Building in Balanacan Port in Mogpog could only accommodate 300 passengers.

Santiago said the PPA also sent tents from Lucena City to accommodate passengers in the coming days.

"Apparently, shipping lines rerouted their trips to Romblon today since there were not a lot of passengers yesterday (1 January), which was traditionally the day when the passenger volume was high. Shipping lines did not expect the passenger volume today," the PPA official said.

"That is the problem if they have no online booking. They cannot project the passenger volume and have to rely on actual passenger arrivals on the day of the trip," Santiago explained.

He said vessels plying the Balanacan-Lucena City route can only accommodate 100 passengers per trip.

Meanwhile, Mogpog Mayor Leo Livelo said he also sent tents and drinking water for the passengers. He said two large vessels and those from Starhorse Shipping had arrived by yesterday afternoon.

"We are asking for their patience. Vessels are indeed scarce to serve the passenger influx," Livelo said in an interview.

The turnaround time from Balanacan to Lucena City port is two hours and 45 minutes.

According to Santiago, Balanacan Port's situation returned to normal by 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, and "by 6:30 p.m., all passengers will have been cleared."