The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
In line with the activation of the Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Undas 2024 in all transport hubs in the country, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista, along with other transport officials, conducted an inspection at the Manila North Harbor last 31 October 2024.
The inspection started at the port’s new Passenger Terminal Building (PTB), where the Secretary monitored the flow of passengers and checked its facilities, including rooms for senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with special needs, prayer room, waiting area, kids’ playground, and restrooms, among others.
The Secretary Bautista warmly conversed and engaged with passengers in line to board the vessels.
Moreover, the transport chief went on board a 2GO maritime vessel which can carry up to 800 passengers per trip, to inspect its features and capabilities to service passengers efficiently even with the passenger volume surge.
Sec. Bautisita assured passengers the Department, along with its maritime agencies, will look after the welfare of the commuting public.
“My marching orders sa PCG, PPA, at MARINA ag siguraduhin na ‘yung inspection ng vessels ay tama. Sigurado na sea-worthy. Also, ang OTS naman, together with PPA, ang instruction namin ay siguraduhin na secured din yung mga vessels,” Sec. Bautista said.
He added, “Ang PPA, CPA, MARINA, at PCG ay handa.”
Other transport officials who joined Secretary Bautista in the inspection where DOTr Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Jesus Ferdinand Ortega, Assistant Secretary for Road Transport and Non-Infrastructure, and SAIC Vice Chairman Jose Tracker Lim, PCG Deputy Commandant for Administration, Rear Admiral Edgar Ybañez, OTS Administrator Undersecretary Crisaldo Nieves, and PPA Assistant Manager Mark Jon Salares Palomar.