23 OCTOBER 2024 — The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is partnering with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to improve disaster response by prepositioning ready-to-eat food packs at PPA managed ports nationwide. This initiative aims to assist stranded passengers during travel disruptions caused by extreme weather and other emergencies.
PPA General Manager Jay Santiago participated earlier today in a situation briefing led by President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Headquarters in Camp Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City, October 23, 2024. During the briefing, GM Santiago reported on the condition of ports and highlighted the PPA’s initiative to provide hot meals to stranded passengers.
“Everytime po na mayroon tayong ganitong situation, lahat po ng terminals natin na may stranded passengers we provide them hot meals pero Mr. President, simpleng lugaw lang po ito na mainit kasi wala naman po sa budget natin ‘yan. What we do po, we do it out of pocket ng mga empleyado,” GM Santiago explained.
President Marcos commended the PPA for this initiative, despite it being outside the agency’s mandate. However, he emphasized the need for a more coordinated and systematic approach to supporting affected passengers.
“Thank you very much, I’m sure it’s a big help to those [passengers] but the government should have a more systematic way of looking after them,” the President said.
In response, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian shared that their upcoming ready-to-eat food packs, developed with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), could serve as a solution. “Right now we augment the hot meals pero we’re about to come up with our DOST ready-to-eat box. It’s a day box na lahat na siya [andun na] kakainin mo na, there’s protein bar and those stuff -- galing sa DOST. We’re about to launch that next month,” Secretary Gatchalian said. He added that these ready-to-eat packs would be pre-positioned at ports as soon as supplies are available.
As of 12 noon on October 23, 2024, the PPA reported that 5,987 passengers were stranded in various ports across the country. The most affected region is Bicol, with 2,260 stranded passengers, followed by Eastern Leyte/Samar with 2,161, and Panay/Guimaras with 483.
As part of early preparations, GM Santiago issued a directive on October 21, 2024, to all Port Management Offices (PMOs) to implement safety measures at ports during emergencies. The Malasakit Help Desks at ports are also on standby to assist passengers in need, along with the PPA’s social media accounts, which provide real-time updates. The PPA also reminds travelers to coordinate with shipping lines for the latest information on their trips.
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