PPA readies ports, facilities vs 'habagat' effects
Published Jun 14, 2023 12:07 am
Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago has directed all port managers across the country to prepare the necessary contingency measures in relation to possible trip cancellations amid the onset of the rainy season and the effects of the southwest monsoon, locally referred to as “Habagat”.
Weather experts earlier declared the start of the rainy season and the month of June leading to the end of the year is usually the time for heavy rains and the entry of typhoons.
Santiago said the agency is undertaking various preparatory activities to ready its ports and facilities nationwide with the focus on ensuring the safety of the passengers.
“Since passengers’ welfare remains to be our utmost priority, I instructed all the PMOs to make sure that we are able to immediately cater to the needs and concerns of the passengers,” said Santiago.
Santiago said he already issued the directive to agency’s 25 Port Management Offices (PMOs) to ensure that all port facilities are ready to cater to passengers concerns especially those who will be affected by trip cancellations of their respective shipping lines due to inclement weather conditions.
Aside from ensuring functional generator sets for emergency use during power outages, Santiago said the conduct of regular inspections within all PMO facilities should be regularly done to guarantee the proper maintenance and safeguarding the good working condition of all the equipment.
Charging stations and water refilling stations are also available for all the passengers free of charge.
During inclement weather conditions, Santiago said the PPA closely works along with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and local government units (LGUs) to ensure passenger safety at the ports which at some instances, include the transportation of individuals from ports to evacuation centers.
“Apart from precautionary measures in place at ports during inclement weather, we would also like to ask for understanding from the public at times that queues get longer than expected at ports since passengers and vessels accumulate within its vicinity when rough seas cause trip cancellations,” said Santiago.