The maritime sector is ready to increase its capacity to 100 percent for sea travels now that the National Capital Region (NCR), and 38 other areas, are now under Covid Alert Level 1, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced on Friday morning, March 4.
Aside from the lowering of alert level, DOTr Sec. Arthur Tugade explained that the Philippine Ports Authority had completed its port development projects nationwide, while the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) continuously conduct initiatives to boost maritime operations.
Tugade said that the Ports of Currimao in Ilocos Norte; Bulan in Sorsogon; Legazpi and Tabaco in Albay; Basiao in Capiz; Banago in Negros Occidental; Baybay and Palompon in Leyte; Ozamiz in Misamis Occidental; Sultan Naga Dimaporo in Lanao del Norte; Mati in Davao Oriential; and Dapitan and Sindangan in Zamboanga del Norte, are ready for inauguration.
Meanwhile, he also noted that the Port of Batangas' new Passenger Terminal Building (PTB), which will accommodate 3,616 passengers, and the Calapan Port's new PTB with 3,500-passenger capacity, are for completion this month.
He added that the MARINA would be issuing around 20 additional travel permits for roll-on or roll-off vessels to cater to the growing number of sea passengers under the current alert level.
“Handa na ‘ho ang Department of Transportation (The Department of Transportation is ready). We support the move to lower the alert level following the guidance and mandates of the IATF," Secretary Tugade said in a statement.