Maritime projects, initiatives support sea travel full passenger capacity under Alert Level 1

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With completed projects and ongoing initiatives in the maritime sector, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is ready to support and address the 100% passenger capacity for sea travel as parts of the country are placed under Alert Level 1 effective on 01 March 2022, Transportation Secretary Art Tugade said.
According to Secretary Tugade, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has completed port development projects nationwide, while the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) are continuing with initiatives to boost maritime operations.

“Mr. President, converting from Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 1, masasabi ko ‘ho sa mga nagawa na at gagawin pa namin handa na ‘ho ang Department of Transportation. We support the move to lower the alert level following the guidance and mandates of the IATF,” Secretary Tugade said during President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s Talk to the People on Monday.

Secretary Tugade said 13 completed port projects are ready for inauguration under Alert Level 1 to accommodate seaport passengers.

Some of the ports ready for inauguration are the Ports of Currimao in Ilocos Norte; Bulan in Sorsogon; Legazpi and Tabaco in Albay; Basiao in Capiz; Banago in Negros Occidental; Baybay and Palompon in Leyte; Ozamiz in Misamis Occidental; Sultan Naga Dimaporo in Lanao del Norte; Mati in Davao Oriential; and Dapitan and Sindangan in Zamboanga del Norte.

He added that two more priority projects are for completion this March: The Port of Batangas' new Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) will accommodate 3,616 passengers, while the Calapan Port's new PTB will have a 3,500-passenger capacity.

“Ang mga terminal na itinatayo natin, ang capacity hindi na sa one hundred one hundred, thousand thousand na. Merong 3,000, merong 4,000,” Secretary Tugade said.

Aside from addressing the increase in capacity, Secretary Tugade said the PPA and MARINA are also solving port operations concerns for a seamless movement of passengers and cargo, including those in the Port of Matnog.

“Ang queueing diyan ng mga buses, nagtatagal ‘ho iyan from 16 hours to two days, ngayon po because of the system that we have organized in the Maritime Sector kasama ang PPA, PCG, MARINA, LGU, DILG, ngayon ‘ho iyong queueing time is three to five hours na lang,” Secretary Tugade explained.

To further manage the port arrival of vessels, the MARINA will be issuing around 20 additional travel permits for roll-on/roll-off vessels to cater to the growing number of sea passengers under thr more relaxed Alert Level 1.

Meanwhile, Secretary Tugade said the arrival of first of two 97-meter long Multi-Role Response Vessels (MRRVs) from Japan will also bolster maritime patrols in the country’s borders.

According to Secretary Tugade, as an additional maritime asset, the PCG-acquired BRP Teresa Magbanua can conduct patrols for three weeks in the West Philippine Sea, in the Benham Rise, and in the southern part of Mindanao. The second PCG MRRV is set to arrive in May 2022.

The PCG workforce likewise saw a significant increase with the addition of at least 22,000 Coast Guard personnel and an additional 33,000 Auxiliary members, Secretary Tugade reported.

Part of PCG and PCGA's personnel will be realigned for the heightened visibility and patrolling at various transport hubs nationwide, Secretary Tugade said.