PPA on heightened alert, deploys 3,000 security personnel for surge of passengers during Christmas season
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has deployed around 3,000 security personnel in all the ports it manages across the country in anticipation of the surge of passengers and cargo during the Christmas season.
PPA General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago said the deployment is part of the security measures in a bid to ensure safety, order, and the smooth flow of travelers at ports as millions of Filipinos are expected to travel to their home provinces to celebrate Christmas and New Year with their families and relatives.
“Our security forces are fully prepared, with increased vigilance at ports through close coordination with other government agencies and with the readiness of X-ray machines and K9 units working 24/7,” said Santiago.
“They are ready, our security is on heightened alert. Our security personnel are very aware of that. We are also coordinating with the Philippine Coast Guard and the PNP-Maritime Group and even the force multipliers,” he added.
Santiago also reiterated the implementation of PPA Memorandum Circular No. 06-2010, or the “Prohibition on the Mandatory Sale of Passenger Insurance Coverage” which prohibits additional insurance fees to be charged to passengers in all PPA-managed ports.
The memorandum also emphasized that all passengers are already covered by the vessel’s insurance policy in case of any incident while on board.
Santiago said all port personnel were also instructed to ensure that only terminal fee is collected from passengers at all ports.
Meanwhile, Santiago urged the public to cooperate with authorities by following port regulations, remaining vigilant, and promptly reporting any suspicious activities, including scammers posing as PPA officials or using the agency’s name and logo to deceive the public.
“The PPA assures the public that its help desks and official social media accounts remain open to receive inquiries in line with the government’s directive to prioritize public welfare and safety, especially during the holiday rush,” said Santiago.
“Our goal is passenger convenience. We are all systems go, especially next week when we expect the influx of more port passengers,” he added.