The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has allowed to increase the passenger capacity in ports nationwide back to 100 percent as most parts of the country are under Covid Alert Level 1.
PPA General Manager Atty. Jay Daniel Santiago said that the move was prompted by the decreasing Covid-19 cases and easing of quarantine restrictions in the country.
“Dahil sa pagbaba ng Alert Level 1 pinayagan na po na mag-100 percent capacity ang ating sasakyang pandagat pati ang mga pantalan ay 100 percent capacity sa mananakay (Since most parts of the country are now under Alert Level 1, the government has allowed all vessels and ports to operate at 100 percent capacity),” Santiago explained over Laging Handa briefing.
Although the agency already allowed ports to operate at full capacity, Santiago said that passengers must present necessary documents to specific local government units (LGUs) since some areas are still under Alert Level 2.
He added that passengers must present a vaccination card and observe health and safety protocols such as wearing facemasks, social distancing, and checking their temperatures.
Since the easing of restrictions, Santiago said that PPA has recorded an increase in passengers and expects more travelers for the upcoming Holy Week from April 10 to 16.
“Mas marami na po ang mananakay ngayon bagamat di tayo umaabot sa level ng pre-pandemic na pasahero, but definitely dumadami na ang kababayan natin na bumabyahe (We are recording an increase in passengers but our passenger rate remains below the pre-pandemic levels. But compared before, more passengers are traveling now),” Santiago said.
He also assured the public that the PPA recorded a 96 percent vaccination rate among its employees, personnel, and security guards. Less than four percent of personnel are either hesitant to get inoculated or have comorbidities.