25 OCTOBER 2023, MANILA —In a bid to ensure full workforce complement and maintain strict security protocol at ports under its jurisdiction, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has issued a "No Leave Policy" effective today, October 25 to November 8, 2023, in preparation for coming influx of passenger due to Undas and Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.
In a memorandum issued on October 23, 2023, PPA General Manager Jay Santiago instructed all PPA personnel to refrain from availing leave of absence during this time when port services are mostly needed.
“As the lead agency in the passenger operation of PPA-managed ports nationwide, we have a huge responsibility in ensuring that sea travel of the public, especially during this coming BSKE and Undas, remains to be convenient, safe and responsive to their needs, thus, the implementation of this No Leave Policy,” GM Santiago said.
Based from the records, more than 1.4 million passengers are expected to pass through all ports covered by the PPA across the country from October 27 to November 5, 2023 in line with Undas and Barangay and SK Elections. This year's forecast of 1,422,406 passenger traffic is 6% higher than the figure recorded in 2022 which was 1,337,396 mainly caused by the relaxing of travel requirements after pandemic. It is likewise significantly higher than the 500,000+ number of passengers recorded in 2020 covering the same dates.
Among the ports with highest passengers recorded in 2022 were the ports in Iloilo, Batangas, Babak Port in Davao, Dumangas Port in Panay Island, and the ports in Negros Occidental. Meanwhile, influx of passengers is expected starting October 28th based on the data gathered by PPA over the past years.
PPA also heightened its security measures at ports covering its 25 Port Management Offices nationwide, resulting to the heightened alert status of all Port Police officers and security forces inside and outside the port. These measures include strict security, 24/7 CCTV monitoring, and K9 dogs roving at port vicinity and passenger luggage aside from the x-ray machines and body scanners that passengers must pass through.
“Kung maari po ay maaga nating planuhin ang biyahe at ugaliing i-check sa inyong mga shipping lines ang oras ng biyahe para masiguro muna ang lahat bago pumunta ng pantalan. ‘Wag na rin po tayong magdala ng mga matutulis na bagay sa pantalan para hindi na makumpiska pa,” advised by GM Santiago for passengers traveling at ports for the long weekend.
The public can check PPA's social media pages for hourly updates or inquire via PPA hotline, operating 24/7 for any port-related questions through landline number (02) 8711-2360. ###