PPA clamors again for online ticketing system

PPA clamors again for online ticketing system | Daily Tribune

As returning vacationers will surely flock to ports after the holiday break, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has once again asked shipping companies to use their online ticketing systems (OTS), as well as augment their vessels, to serve more passengers.

According to the PPA, Batangas Port, one of the country’s biggest and busiest ports, is posting 25,000-foot traffic on a daily average passenger count and it is expected to rise after the Christmas break.

Aside from the many holidaymakers returning home in the coming days, passengers at the said port are experiencing longer waiting times outside the port due to the lack of sailing ships and OTS.

“PPA is aware that the situation of passengers traveling during peak season is not easy, so we have expanded the Batangas Port, from a 3,000-seating capacity to 8,000. Let’s remember that additional ships are needed for people to travel and depart from the port continuously. We have been calling on the authorities for this for a long time,” said PPA general manager Jay Santiago in a statement on Wednesday.

“Nowadays, the majority of those arriving at the port are walk-ins; they don’t have tickets yet, and they just buy their tickets there. This causes queues instead of people going straight to the terminal and boarding the ship,” Santiago added.

Santiago said the online ticketing system should be made mandatory so that those returning to their respective provinces can have a smoother and faster trip and also immediately know the expected number of people at the port each day.

Shipping lines are reportedly not using OTS because it does not permit overbooking, limiting their ticket sales.

Since the PPA mandate does not cover the travel of passengers but the Maritime Industry Authority, the agency has long called for the implementation of OTS for shipping lines. However, not all shipping companies are complying.

Batangas Port is only one of the ports with the highest passenger flow this holiday season.

The second busiest ports are in Panay/Guimaras, Mindoro, Bohol and Bicol region. In total, PPA expects 4.5 million passengers from 15 December 2024 until 5 January 2025.

“As for us at PPA, our staff are there 24 hours a day. I have also given instructions that despite the long queues, the PPA people must be present there. I instructed them to provide water to passengers and do their best to make the stay of passengers in all PPA-governed ports worthwhile, “ Santiago said.