Manila North Port braces for more passengers for Holy Week

The management of the Manila North Port said it is preparing for the arrival of more passengers who will travel by sea on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, according to a "24 Oras" report by Tina Panganiban-Perez.

From March 22 to 26, port authorities said over 800,000 passengers have traveled through the port to various destinations.

Meanwhile, a trip to Cebu scheduled on Thursday was canceled and moved to Friday, giving its passengers a longer waiting time.

“Papuntang Calapan po ngayong March 26. Meron pong insidente roon na babaeng inaalam kung tumalon o nahulog sa barko,” Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) spokesperson Eunice Samonte said.

As the influx of passengers continued, one passenger reportedly lost a piece of luggage.

Jovani Pogado said he lost his luggage when it was dropped off at the gate since cars could not enter the terminal earlier.

“Yung tumulong sa amin, yung porter, tatlo sila. Dito na sa loob namin chineck kung ano ba ang kulang. Tiningnan ko, chineck namin. Kulang yung isang item. Kulang yung burner,” he said. 

(The porter who helped us—there were three of them. When we got inside the port, we were checked on what was missing. I looked and checked. One item is missing. The burner is missing.)

But the porter who had already spoken to Pogado said they saw a burner stove.

“Wala akong nabuhat na tinatanong niya sa amin. Binigay sa akin, tatlong piraso. Yung ano nila sa kotse at saka yung handbag ni ma’am na nandoon daw yung mga cellphone niya. Inabot ko sa kanila. Honest din kami,” the porter said. 

(He handed me three pieces of bags— what they had in the car and then ma'am's handbag where her cellphone was. I handed everything to them. Porters here are honest.)

The incident is being investigated by the PPA.

“This is an isolated case. Let's be responsible for our own bags. We also have security personnel here,” said Gabriel Manansala, acting port manager. —Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News

Moreover, PPA said if anyone is still looking for a trip to the port, it is better to book online.