Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Travelers enter the upgraded Integrated Passenger Terminal Building of the Port of Batangas in Batangas City, on June 14, 2022. The 15,000 sqm port features fully air-conditioned lounges and PWD-friendly facilities for a more convenient experience for passengers. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Dennis Datu

ABS-CBN News

<div><br/></div><p>MANILA — Philippine Ports Authority  (PPA) General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago on Monday personally went to Batangas Port  to act on complaints against fixers who have been promising “express entry” into the port for vehicles boarding RoRo vessels, as travelers head back to their home provinces for the Christmas season.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/12/22/ppa-batangas-warns-vs-fixers-offering-quick-entry-to-port-for-p2-000-0027">PPA Batangas warns vs fixers offering quick entry to port for P2,000</a></div><p>Santiago visited the long lines of vehicles along the access road outside Batangas Port and spoke with drivers, warning them against fixers who allegedly charge as much as P2,000 for express entry.</p><p>According to Santiago, to put an end to the exploitation by fixers, the PPA will implement a queuing system in which vehicles waiting in line will be assigned queue numbers.</p><p>This system will allow authorities to monitor which vehicles are authorized to enter Batangas Port.</p><p>Santiago also warned port police and security personnel who may be caught colluding with fixers.</p><p>“Kung may tauhan kami mismo sa PPA either security  or  port police tatanggalin ko on the spot, wala nang argumento yun,” he said.</p><p>The PPA general manager further urged victims to cooperate with authorities.</p><p>ABS-CBN News reported on Sunday that drivers waiting outside the Batangas Port complained of being approached by fixers offering “express entry” for P2,000.</p><p>The fixers allegedly have contacts inside the port. Once a driver agrees to pay the fee, a motorcycle escort will reportedly guide the vehicle into the port.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>TRAVEL WOES</strong></div><div> </div><p>Meanwhile, as thousands of passengers flocked to Batangas Port to return to their home provinces and celebrate Christmas with their families, they were met with a range of problems, including long queues, the unavailability of tickets, and a shortage in vessels.</p><p>More than 500 passengers bound for Odiongan, Romblon, who failed to board a ship on Sunday, were only able to purchase tickets on Monday, for a scheduled voyage at 5 p.m. the following day.</p><p>All Monday trips of the two shipping lines servicing Odiongan — each operating only one trip per day — were fully booked. </p><p>As a result, passengers who arrived at the port on Monday were unable to buy tickets, as priority had to be given to those who were previously left behind.</p><p>Despite uncertainty when ticket sales would resume, passengers patiently lined up in front of the ticketing booths, laying cardboard on the ground to sit on and refusing to leave their spots.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>BUILDUP OF PASSENGERS</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The situation did not sit well with Philippine Ports Authority General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago, who personally inspected the Batangas Port on Monday morning.</p><p>Santiago expressed frustration over why only queue numbers were being issued to passengers at the ticketing booths. </p><p>He questioned why passengers were being made to wait for long hours instead of being sold tickets immediately.</p><p>&quot;Ang biyahe ng Odiongan ay once a day, may mga nakapila na titiketan daw sila mamaya pang 5:30, bakit hindi na natin pwedeng tiketan ngayon?&quot; Santiago asked.</p><p>&quot;May date and time, same for Montenegro, same for 2Go, same for Starlite, ticketan nyo na, eh bayad naman yan eh, magbabayad naman pasahero diyan eh, paisyuhan mo ng ticket at nang hindi nakasalampak diyan,&quot; he added.</p><p>Visibly frustrated, Santiago entered the ticketing booths of the shipping lines and directed them to immediately begin selling tickets to passengers who had been lining up since the early morning.</p><p>He explained that once tickets are issued, passengers will leave the queues and will simply wait for their scheduled departure times.</p><p>According to Santiago, the primary reason for the buildup of passengers at Batangas Port is the lack of vessels operating on the route.</p><p>&quot;Nakikipag-ugnayan tayo sa Maritime Industry Authority  pati sa mga shipping lines na kung pwde magkaroon ng special permit  at magdagdag ng barko dito sa Batangas Port,&quot; Santiago said.</p><p>&quot;Ipagbibigay-alam din natin ito kay DOTR Sec. Lopez, hihingi na tayo ng tulong,&quot; he added. </p><p>Santiago also urged shipping companies to implement a 100 percent booking system to prevent congestion at the port.</p><div> </div>

<p>To put an end to the exploitation by fixers, the PPA will implement a queuing system in which vehicles waiting in line will be assigned queue numbers.</p>

To put an end to the exploitation by fixers, the PPA will implement a queuing system in which vehicles waiting in line will be assigned queue numbers.

PPA moves to stop 'express entry' fixer scheme at Batangas port

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PPA moves to stop 'express entry' fixer scheme at Batangas port

Dennis Datu,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 22, 2025 02:13 PM PHT

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Updated Dec 22, 2025 04:01 PM PHT

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Batangas port

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