Marilyn Cahatol

Department of Transportation secretary Jamie Bautista inspects the Manila North Harbor and a passenger ship, on October 31, 2024, ahead of the anticipated influx of passengers for the long weekend. Thousands of people flock to transport hubs a day ahead of All Saints Day and All Souls Day, to visit loved ones, both living and deceased. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

North Port Inspection for Undas

Dennis Datu

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176154158816720241031-undas-northport-MD-18.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Department of Transportation secretary Jamie Bautista inspects the Manila North Harbor and a passenger ship, on October 31, 2024, ahead of the anticipated influx of passengers for the long weekend. Thousands of people flock to transport hubs a day ahead of All Saints Day and All Souls Day, to visit loved ones, both living and deceased. <em>Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Department of Transportation (DOTr) Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez, together with Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Santiago, led an inspection at the Batangas Port to ensure the readiness of port facilities and personnel in anticipation of the surge of passengers returning to their hometowns in the island provinces of MIMAROPA and the Visayas for the observance of Undas (All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days).</p><p>The situation at the Batangas Port passenger terminal remains manageable, but authorities expect the number of travelers to start increasing by Thursday.</p><p>During the inspection, Lopez checked the ticketing booths of various shipping lines to determine if they were already implementing online booking to prevent long queues and ensure that passenger vessels would not be overloaded.</p><p>However, Lopez discovered that only a few shipping lines currently offer online ticket booking.</p><p>“Ang sinasabi po ng iba at ito rin naman po ay base na rin sa aking pag-aaral, mas mahirap minsan ang pagmomonitor kapag hindi online kung sumusobra ang mga pasahero, yun sinasabi nating overloading especially kapag ganitong panahon na Undas o holiday season. so kailangan talaga natin yung online,” Lopez said.</p><p>Lopez has directed the PPA to implement online booking for all shipping lines.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/9/26/dotr-orders-full-refund-no-rebooking-fees-for-flights-affected-by-opong-1420">DOTr orders full refund, no rebooking fees for flights canceled due to Opong</a></div><p>“Tulad ng sabi ng ating pangulo ang online, no line, mas mapapabilis at mas convenient ang ating mga pasahero,” he added.</p><p>Meanwhile, PPA General Manager Jay Santiago said they are now reviewing the implementation of the online booking system, a program that has long been delayed due to opposition from some shipping lines.</p><p>“We are still coordinating with DOTr, MARINA (Marine Industry Authority) at PCG (Philippine Coast Guard) kung papaano natin i-implement dahil napakatagal na ng prosesong ito, ng sistema niyan. Matagal nang nasimulan yan and na-overtake na ng technology. Kung dati may mga kioks tayo, ngayon ang tinitingnan natin nasa mobile na na hindi na natin kailangan ng kiosks,” Santiago explained.</p><p>“Sa mga nakaraan kasi may resistance din sa mga shipping lines and the same time yung mga nakaraang pamumuno sa DOTr medyo malamig din ang pagtanggap nila sa sistema na pino-propose natin,” he added.</p><p>Santiago said they expect the influx of passengers at ports to begin by Thursday.</p><p>According to PPA estimates, Batangas Port is expected to handle around 19,000 to 22,000 passengers daily this year, up from 11,000 to 12,000 per day last year.</p><p>The PPA expects the number of passengers at ports nationwide to reach 2,182,538 from October 27 to November 5, higher than the 1,918,921 passengers recorded last year.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/21/dotr-says-ready-for-undas-exodus-urges-drivers-commuters-to-prepare-too-1439">DOTr says ready for Undas exodus, urges drivers, commuters to prepare too</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ohFea_njZVI?si=yxFK3CB1h2VYrtkY" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>Acting Transport Sec. Giovanni Lopez has directed the PPA to implement online booking for all shipping lines.</p>

Acting Transport Sec. Giovanni Lopez has directed the PPA to implement online booking for all shipping lines.

Implement online booking for sea trips: DOTr tells shipping lines and ports authority

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Implement online booking for sea trips: DOTr tells shipping lines and ports authority

Dennis Datu,

ABS-CBN News

Published October 27, 2025 01:58 PM PHT

Read More:

ppa

batangas port

undas

dotr acting sec giovanni lopez

ppa general manager jay santiago

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