The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) are strengthening safety measures and preparations for the expected influx of passengers for the upcoming Holy Week.

For the first time, MARINA started inspections at ports, focusing on passenger ships, two weeks before the Holy Week peak season.

MARINA inspected the Starlite Stella Maris ship at the Batangas Port on Tuesday afternoon, April 1.

The MARINA, the intensified compliance monitoring of passenger ships will be done from April 1 to 12 with seven teams spread out in the country.

For inspections, MARINA inspectors utilize a checklist looking at the ship’s engine, life-saving appliances such as life vests and life rafts, and firefighting equipment, among others.

“Sa ngayon, mayroon silang mga valid safety certificates. Pero alam natin na sa araw-araw na pagbiyahe, may usual wear and tear. That’s why you want to confirm na bago dumating po ‘yung dagsa ng pasahero sa Holy Week ay nasigurado natin at na-double check natin na patuloy silang nagco-comply sa requirements,” MARINA Administrator Sonia Malaluan said.

Meanwhile, the PCG is deploying additional personnel to be strategically placed in more vulnerable parts of Batangas Port.

Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog Commander Commodore Geronimo Tuvilla said they are raising alertness not just in the region, but in all units in the country for the peak season.

“Preemptive measures in terms of inspecting it thoroughly. Hindi pa dumadating ‘yung Holy Week, we will have some inspections,” Tuvilla said, adding, “Nandiyan din ‘yung ating mga force multipliers or friendly forces natin coming from not only the DOTr family, but also with the Philippine National Police. Even the LGUs, they assist.”

MARINA expects the peak season to start on April 16 or Holy Wednesday, ending on April 20 or Easter Sunday.

BUY TICKETS EARLY, PLAN AHEAD

Meanwhile, MARINA Administrator Sonia Malaluan appeals to people looking to travel for Holy Week to plan ahead and buy tickets early.

MARINA expects an influx of passengers from April 16 or Holy Wednesday until April 20 or Easter Sunday.

During an inspection at the Batangas port 2 weeks ahead of the Holy Week, Malaluan said that in the past, due to the high demand for tickets, some are unable to board ships.

“Nandito lang sila sa port, nagbabakasakaling mayroong makakasakay,” Malaluan told the media during a passenger ship inspection at Batangas Port on Tuesday.

“Mayroon na din ‘yung ating mga shipping company or mga operator, mayroon na ding mga online ticketing and booking. Sana tingnan ‘yung schedule ng mga barko para pupunta po tayo sa terminal o sa pier doon sa mga schedule na gusto natin. At kung puwede sana, may ticket na,” Malaluan added.

Regarding Philippine Ports Authority General Manager Jay Santiago’s call to make online ticketing systems mandatory among shipping lines, Malaluan said she supports digitalization. However, she thinks this still needs to be studied as this requires the appropriate infrastructure.

The MARINA official also advises travelers to plan for maritime transport the way they would for trips by air.

“Kung may oras ng biyahe, dapat may allowance din. ‘Yung nasanayan natin kapag sa eroplano— naglalagay tayo ng allowance kasi kapg maramihan ang pasahero, mas mahaba ang pila sa pagpasok pa lang,” Malaluan said.