Hey there, folks!

Have you voted already? The local absentee voting has just started, allowing government employees and other qualified individuals to cast their votes ahead of 12 May. This includes the men and women in uniform and media personnel who would be too busy to vote on election day.

I hope we all do our duty for country by choosing the leaders who will represent us. Remember that the right of suffrage is a human right, not just an option. It is the foundation of our democracy and sovereignty. Vote not only for yourself but for the future generations.

Speaking of the electoral process, people are definitely going home not only on 12 May but also today, 1 May, Labor Day. We honor the dedication and strength of every Filipino worker here and abroad, the backbone of the economy and the heart of every service. With that, there are free train rides. It would be better if the transport system could provide better services for the laborers every single work day, not only on Labor Day.

Other than trains and buses, ships are also considered a main mode of transport when it comes to passenger volume. Last Holy Week, more than two million people traveled by sea which meant long queues at terminals that were managed through constant coordination with the shipping lines and the ports management. Digital solutions such as the Electronic Terminal Management System (ETMS), a priority of Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, will be up and running by the end of the year.

As a backgrounder, on 18 September 2020, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) through the initiative of general manager Jay Santiago, launched the Unified Electronic Ticketing System and conducted a public demonstration and test run in the Ports of Batangas and Calapan. This aimed to provide convenience and benefits to port users and get rid of the usual fixers and scalpers.

So much for the good stuff, but as much as it was like a magic wand, a makeover of the system, the project was terminated in 2022 and is being revived this year.

The ETMS is a digital platform that would enhance efficiency, transparency and security of terminal operations across the country. This system is designed to provide an integrated and real-time approach to managing vessel scheduling, cargo handling, passenger services, and overall port operations by digitalizing and streamlining operations for seamless transactions.

For the shipping lines and terminal operators, this could mean faster port clearance and streamlined documentation. For cargo owners and logistics providers, this means improved cargo and reduced delays. For passengers, this would mean convenient booking and boarding processes, avoiding the long lines during peak seasons.

For the PPA, this would mean enhanced operational oversight. This would not only ensure security and compliance with international port management standards, but would also link port operators, shipping lines, government agencies and logistics providers for seamless information sharing.

We all hope this is the people-centered solution we have been waiting for. From the jurassic booking system, long queues, and the vessel delays, this might be the key towards the modernization that will respect the time, resources, and dignity of every Filipino worker and the riding public. After all, we are all in the same boat — modern or the old balangay.

Happy riding and Happy Labor Day! Mabuhay ang mga Manggagawang Pilipino!