The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is urging mandatory online ticketing for shipping lines as thousands of holiday travelers face long queues and vessel shortages, particularly on routes to Mindoro and other island provinces.

Batangas Port, a major gateway to Mindoro and southern islands, is experiencing a daily average of 25,000 passengers since the weekend, with numbers expected to rise during the Christmas and New Year period.

“The current situation is challenging for passengers during peak season,” said PPA General Manager Jay Santiago.

The port recently expanded its seating capacity from 3,000 to 8,000, but Santiago pointed out that additional vessels are needed to maintain continuous travel flow.

The lack of an online ticketing system has forced most passengers to purchase tickets on-site, creating bottlenecks at terminal entrances.

While the PPA has long advocated for digital ticketing solutions, implementation remains incomplete across shipping companies.

The surge in passenger volume affects other major ports, including those serving Panay/Guimaras, Mindoro, Bohol, and Bicol provinces.

PPA projects approximately 4.5 million passengers will pass through Philippine ports between December 15, 2024, and January 5, 2025.

Maritime travel is crucial in the country, an archipelago of over 7,600 islands where ferries serve as a primary mode of transportation for millions of people returning to their provinces during holidays.

The current congestion exposes ongoing obstacles in modernizing the country’s maritime infrastructure.

Santiago said PPA staff are working 24-hour shifts and providing water to queuing passengers.

“While we can’t eliminate lines completely, we’re ensuring passengers are as comfortable as possible while waiting,” he added.

Photo: courtesy of Abby Baraquel