MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DoT) is currently working with the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) and the Puerto Galera mayor to determine the best way for boats ferrying passengers to and from this favorite tourist spot to drop off and pick up passengers so the beaches would not be crowded with bancas.

Tourism Secretary Alberto A. Lim said that docking of boats anywhere on the beach has become a concern because it disturbs guests and endangers those wading or swimming by the beach.

That is why they are studying what will work best given the local conditions in Puerto Galera. Will it be a few ports strategically located on the long stretch of beach? Or would it be a single port?

DoT is also working closely with Marina to ensure passenger safety and professional operations. “We are working with Marina to impose stricter standards on all seacraft crossing the channel. Larger seacraft are generally safer. They are also more professionally run,” Lim said.

Earlier, Robert D.C. Reyes, a Microsoft Certified Professional and blogger sent Lim an e-mail complaining about Galerian Lines which services the Batangas-Puerto Galera route.

According to Reyes, Galerian boats are regularly delayed to the consternation of most passengers whose times are wasted. “It is such a disgrace to both local and foreign tourists to have service providers like the Galerian Lines,” wrote Reyes.

Reyes added that passengers have to wait for almost two hours just for the boat to set sail and way past the time indicated on their tickets.

Lim endorsed the complaint of Reyes, a blogger who was vacationing with his family in Puerto Galera, Mindoro, to Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) Secretary Jose “Ping” de Jesus.