(Photo courtesy of PPA)
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has urged shipping companies to lower ticket prices to attract more passengers after recording a nearly 50 percent decline in passenger traffic during the Undas holiday period compared to last year.
In a radio interview Tuesday, PPA General Manager Jay Santiago said passenger arrivals at ports managed by the agency fell significantly below expectations over the weekend.
At Batangas Port, which normally accommodates between 17,000 and 21,000 passengers daily during peak travel periods, only about 7,000 to 8,000 passengers were recorded on October 31.
Santiago attributed the decline partly to a 10 to 15 percent increase in shipping fares and the relatively short holiday break.
“Dahil nga po medyo tumaas ang mga pamasahe sa barko,” Santiago said.
He also suggested that some passengers may have postponed their trips to take advantage of the longer holiday in Metro Manila from November 14 to 18, coinciding with the Philippines’ hosting of the 49th ASEAN Summit.
To encourage more travelers, Santiago proposed that shipping operators adopt a volume-based pricing strategy by reducing fares to increase passenger demand and minimize potential losses.
“Mas maganda na medyo bawasan po yung pamasahe para lamang mas maraming makatangkilik at nang makabawas-bawas po sila sa lugi, at mas dumami po yung babyahe,” he said.
Meanwhile, Santiago announced that the PPA had waived passenger terminal fees at the newly opened terminal in Lucena Port until the end of the year to help ease travel expenses.
PPA seeks return of EVs, hybrids on Ro-Ro vessels
In the same interview, Santiago said the PPA was coordinating with the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to allow electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid vehicles to board roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessels again.
Some shipping operators have prohibited EVs and hybrids following the fire aboard MV June Aster, which initially raised concerns about the possible involvement of such vehicles.
However, Santiago said investigations conducted by the Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, and MARINA found that EVs and hybrids were not responsible for the fire.
He added that former Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez had instructed MARINA to review the restrictions and approve the return of electric and hybrid vehicles to Ro-Ro vessels.
The PPA is continuing discussions with maritime regulators to address the restrictions while maintaining passenger and vessel safety.
