More trips sought at Batangas Port for Undas travelers

The Batangas Port management called on ship captains and operators to hasten their operations and add more trips to accommodate the influx of travelers for this year’s Undas.

According to JP Soriano’s report in 24 Oras on Thursday, several trips were canceled due to the inclement weather brought by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine and Typhoon Leon.

“Kahit naman naka-relax order at nakita namin na pwede ka ng umalis, bibigyan namin ng shifting order. Otherwise, 500% penalty ka sa akin,” said Batangas Port manager Joselito Sinocruz.

(Even if there’s a relax order, if we think you can now go on a trip, we will issue a shifting order. Otherwise, you will be penalized with 500%.)

Port management said they noticed a slow turn around or the actual docking of vessels because of the high number of passengers and the bad weather.

Many vessels were able to proceed with their trips on Thursday as weather conditions improved.

Around 20,000 passengers bound for Mindoro, Romblon, Aklan, and Capiz are expected to flock to Batangas Port on the eve of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

Among the passengers at Batangas Port is Lei Rabino who is looking forward to visiting her late mother’s tomb.

“Napakahirap po ng walang nanay….ngayon naman po ay mas ok na siya, hindi na nahihirapan,” she said.

(It’s hard not having a mother…She’s now in a better place where she is no longer suffering.)

Furthermore, the Batangas Port also clarified that there was no special treatment for other vehicles in RoRos (Roll on-Roll Off) ships as they were just filling up some spaces inside the vessel to balance it.

“Yung master of the vessels nakikita niya ito para pumantay yung balanse ng barko. Kahit ikaw yung susunod isasakay yung isa because of the stowage plan on safety,” said Sinocruz.

(The master of the vessels always checks if the vessel is balanced. Even if you are next in line, we have to observe the stowage plan on safety.) —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News