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The Philippine Ports Authority is enforcing a no leave policy for its frontline staff from December 5 to January 6, 2023
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This is in response to the expected influx of passengers during the holiday season
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Expansion of the back up area at Matnog port is seen to help avoid overcrowding at the busy port
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Measures are also in place at Manila North Harbor, also one of the busiest domestic ports during holidays
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PPA said the biggest passenger traffic at ports is usually on December 15, when most employees have received their wages and Christmas bonuses
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is enforcing a no leave policy for its frontline staff from December 5 to January 6, 2023 in response to the expected influx of passengers during the holidays.
The policy, set in a memo issued by PPA general manager Jay Daniel Santiago, covers frontline personnel at the port management offices (PMO) and PPA head office and aims to ensure a safe and smooth trip at PPA ports.
“This is a little sacrifice this holiday season because these passengers, they seldom go home to their province that sometimes is just once a year. Let’s give them the proper service due to them as passengers of the port,” Santiago said in a statement.
For the first nine months of the year, passenger volumes in PPA ports hit 43.231 million, a 181% surge from 15.407 million in the same period last year.
In Matnog port, a jump-off port from Luzon to the Visayas and Mindanao, more than 2.9 million passengers were recorded from January to October, higher than the 1.79 million and 1.68 million for the first 10 months of 2021 and 2020, respectively.
PMO Bicol port manager Ma. Magnolia Requejo said construction of a 6,000-square meter back up area in Matnog Port is underway to address overcrowding.
Manila North Harbor, also among the busiest domestic ports every December, is expected to handle 40,000 passengers this month. PMO National Capital Region-North acting port manager Aurora Mendoza said together with partner government agencies, various initiatives such as Oplan Biyaheng Ayos and Malasakit Help Desks are already being implemented at Manila North Harbor to assist passengers.
Santiago reminded passengers to plan their trips ahead. “Let’s avoid last minute bookings because that is one of the causes of delays, especially now with [the] influx of people,” Santiago said.
PPA noted the biggest passenger traffic at ports is expected on December 15, when most employees have received their wages and Christmas bonuses.
It reiterated that the terminal fee at ports under PPA remains free for senior citizens, persons with disability, students, and uniformed personnel.
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