MANILA -- Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon conducted an inspection at the Manila North Port Passenger Terminal ahead of the expected surge of travelers this Holy Week, aiming to ensure passenger safety and comfort.

During the inspection, Dizon directed terminal officials to allow passengers waiting outside the terminal to enter the air-conditioned facility, noting the discomfort caused by the heat in the non-airconditioned areas. The move seeks to provide relief to travelers, many of whom endure long hours of waiting amid the scorching heat.

Currently, only one shipping line, 2GO Travel, operates in the terminal.

The company is expecting over 1,200 passengers to travel this Holy Monday, more than double the usual daily volume of 300 to 500 passengers.

The number of passengers is projected to increase in the coming days as more Filipinos travel for the observance of Holy Week.

To accommodate the growing demand, Dizon announced plans to work with the private sector and encourage other shipping lines to resume operations at the Manila port.

“Kakausapin na rin natin ang MARINA (Maritime Industry Authority) at ang shipping industry, titingnan natin kung makakapagdagdag pa tayo ng mga byahe mula rito. Kasi tight now, underutilized iyong terminal, hindi katulad ng Batangas na talagang napakadami," he said.

"Makikipagtulungan tayo sa private sector, titingnan natin kung maeengganyo iyong ibang shipping line na bumiyahe galing dito."

The transportation chief also emphasized the importance of preventing overloading, warning shipping lines that those who oversell tickets or accept passengers beyond a vessel’s capacity would face legal consequences.

“Safety and convenience ng mga pasahero ang pinakamahalaga. Hindi pupwede ang overloading sa mga barko. Kailangang seaworthy ang mga barkong babyahe para ligtas ang lahat,” Dizon emphasized.

On Sunday, April 13, authorities apprehended a shipping company at the Batangas Port bound for Romblon after it was found to have sold tickets beyond the vessel’s maximum capacity. As a result, some passengers were left stranded at the port.

Dizon stressed that all ships must be well-maintained and equipped with proper safety gear such as life vests and life boats, underscoring that passenger welfare remains the government’s top priority during the peak travel season.