Manila, Batangas ports prepare for influx of Holy Week passengers

Passengers traveling by sea for Holy Week flocked to Manila and Batangas ports on Saturday.
 
At the Manila North Harbor Port, security personnel were on heightened alert while the police conducted inspections, according to a report by Jamie Santos on “24 Oras Weekend.”
 
Port personnel were barred from taking leaves from April 3 to 10 to ensure “100% manpower” during this period, said Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) general manager Jay Santiago.

 
Meanwhile, over 6,500 outbound passengers were recorded at the Batangas Port on Saturday, Paul Hernandez of GMA Regional TV Balitang Southern Tagalog said in a separate report.
 
More passengers are still expected until Monday, April 3.
 
Santiago advised travelers about the possibility of having to wait longer than three hours to purchase a ticket due to the suspension of advance booking and online ticketing in Batangas Port.
 
“Our system now is first come, first served,” he said.

The PPA also reminded travelers who want to transport live or processed chicken or pork to their destination to confirm that such commodities are allowed there, because some provinces prohibit their entry as a precautionary measure against bird flu and African swine fever. 

The Philippine Coast Guard will also be on heightened alert from April 2 to 10 as they keep an eye out for overloaded vessels. —Sherylin Untalan/VBL, GMA Integrated News