'No leave policy' in effect, port security intensified as PPA expects 1.4M passengers for BSKE, Undas break
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is expecting around 1.4 million passengers as Filipinos begin their exodus to take advantage of the long weekend for the barangay elections and All Saints and All Souls Days next week.
PPA General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago said they have started the preparations for the influx of passengers in all ports across the country, one of them is the implementation of the “No Leave Policy” for all the employees of the agency, particularly the frontliners.
“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 (barangay and Sagguniang Kabataan elections) and Undas, remains to be convenient, safe and responsive to their needs, thus, the implementation of this No Leave Policy,” said Santiago in a memorandum issued on Oct. 23.
Based on the PPA data, around 1.4 million passengers are expected to troop to various ports in the country, with the Ports of Iloilo, Batangas, Babak in Davao and Dumangas in Panay Island are projected to have the most number of passengers based on past experiences.
The 1.4 million passenger forecast, according to Santiago, is six percent higher compared to the “Undas” (All Saints and All Souls Days) data last year.
He attributed the increase in the number of passengers to the easing of travel requirements during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Santiago said the security alert status in all ports were also heightened, including the 25 Port Management Offices across the country and all the ports security personnel.
Among the security measures that passengers should expect in ports are the presence of K-9 units, 24/7 CCTV (closed-circuit televisions), X-ray machines and body scanners.
The PPA expects the start of the influx of passengers as early on Friday, Oct. 27.
“We urge the passengers to be at the ports as early as possible. They have to check with the shipping lines all the schedules for them to plan their travel,” said Santiago.
He also advised passengers to refrain from bringing bladed and pointed objects in order to avoid inconvenience brought by the intensified security measures.