Panayam kay spokesperson Eunice Samonte ng Philippine Ports Authority
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NewsTranscript
00:00 We will be talking about important issues in the country
00:03 with the representatives of government agencies.
00:07 I am Nina Corpuz.
00:09 From the Philippine Forest Authority, I am Eunice Samonte.
00:13 We will be bringing programs and services for the people.
00:17 TUTOK LANG! Here is the new Philippines, now!
00:22 Eunice, good afternoon to you.
00:28 We know that one of the busiest, especially during the holidays or long weekends,
00:34 is the Philippine Forest Authority.
00:36 So, our question is, how is the preparation of the TPA for the long weekend and for the upcoming months?
00:43 Actually, what we are expecting now from the Philippine Forest Authority
00:47 is 1.4 million passengers from October 27 to November 5.
00:54 This means that we are now returning to our pre-pandemic numbers of passengers
00:59 because the restrictions are now more relaxed.
01:02 And most of our countrymen are taking advantage of this long weekend, of course.
01:07 And this is so that they can vote. Some of our countrymen are going home.
01:13 So, we have already issued a no-leave policy to the Philippine Forest Authority, General Manager Jason Tiago.
01:19 This means that all of our countrymen, from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao,
01:24 should have a duty from the Philippine Forest Authority.
01:29 And this is one of our preparations.
01:32 You said, Eunice, that you are expecting 1.4 million passengers.
01:38 So, how is it? Are the passengers' numbers high this Friday?
01:46 Actually, it's already high.
01:49 Yesterday, we already felt it because we personally went to Batangas Port
01:54 for the inspection of the PPA General Manager Jason Tiago.
01:58 You can see on your screen, JMJ really looked at every facility in Batangas Port
02:04 to ensure that we can really see the situation of our countrymen.
02:09 He looked at the restrooms, prayer rooms, children's rooms for our passengers.
02:14 And I also checked if our water refilling stations are really working.
02:19 So, that's one reason.
02:20 Because Batangas Port has the second highest number of passengers in our inspection this month.
02:27 So, are there any restrictions that can be brought to the ports?
02:32 And what are the things that can and cannot be brought by our passengers?
02:37 As far as we really remind our countrymen, don't bring too many things.
02:44 Because one of the things that delays the queue is the delivery of our countrymen's appliances.
02:51 Oh no, partner, we have appliances.
02:54 There's a washing machine there.
02:55 Oh no, there's a ref.
02:57 But for our countrymen, let's just travel light
03:01 so that we can have a safe trip and not delay the queue
03:06 and we really check that with our x-ray, baggage scanner, and of course, our canine units are also deployed.
03:13 But of course, we ask them to go at least five hours before they're scheduled to the ships
03:20 so that we can avoid the traffic jams going to the port.
03:27 I heard, Eunice, that if you like to eat longganisa, or magnet, or pork,
03:35 you can't bring it.
03:36 Yes, you can't.
03:37 Actually, there are other LGUs that prohibit it.
03:40 For example, yesterday in Batangas, we had longganisa and cutilio in the bath.
03:47 Maybe this is for outing.
03:49 Pork products are not allowed to go to Mindoro because this is the ordinance of their LGU.
03:56 It's the same with PMO Bohol and PMO Necros Oriental Siquijor.
04:01 LGUs there are prohibited, just like pork products.
04:06 So, it's prohibited to bring it to your trips.
04:09 We also have some that are marinated barbecues.
04:12 So, we really can't allow that because pork products are prohibited as much as we wanted to deliver it to their families.
04:21 But it's the ordinance of the LGU that's prohibited so we just plant it.
04:25 So, it's marinated and then we grill it when it arrives there.
04:29 Our fellow countrymen are really strict.
04:31 What if it's already cooked?
04:33 It's also prohibited because it's still considered a pork product.
04:36 Okay.
04:37 What about beef?
04:38 I have a lot of questions.
04:39 But for them, maybe we can bring beef or fish.
04:43 Beef is allowed.
04:45 Pork products are really prohibited because it's the ASF.
04:48 That's what other LGUs are afraid of.
04:50 And it's a harmful object.
04:52 Actually, yesterday, we saw people bringing chicken feed.
04:58 It's like they're going to bring it to the province, to your knives that are sharp.
05:03 But the ending is that they're going to leave it in the province because it's not allowed because it's a deadly weapon.
05:09 And I also want to remind our fellow countrymen not to bring gas.
05:14 We also have cooking utensils that are considered flammable materials.
05:24 So, we will just leave it.
05:26 I hope you listed the prohibited and not prohibited.
05:31 Or maybe they have a website that they can go to so they can see what they can and cannot bring so it's not a hassle.
05:39 So that we can save time and effort in bringing what you should bring,
05:44 they can go to the Facebook page of the Philippine Ports Authority
05:48 so they can see the lists of prohibited things to bring to each LGU and ports they're going to.
05:55 And we also have a hotline that you can see on our screen.
05:58 You can call anytime.
06:00 We've already tested it 24/7.
06:03 There's an answer to that.
06:04 So, those are the places we can go to PPA.
06:08 Most especially our Facebook page.
06:10 Someone monitors it 24/7.
06:12 Yes, you're really hardworking, especially this holiday.
06:16 How's the online booking system of our shipping lines?
06:20 Okay, when it comes to shipping line, this shipping line is under the Marina.
06:24 So, the Marina is in charge of that.
06:27 But then of course, we are encouraging the shipping lines that their ships should arrive on time.
06:34 And of course, we hope that the maintenance of the ships is done ahead of the peak season.
06:40 Because even if one ship is delayed, our passengers will be stranded for a long time.
06:46 That's what will happen to the ports, right?
06:48 So, we are calling on the shipping lines and the Marina to ensure that our ships arrive on time.
06:55 And of course, we have enough food for our passengers even if they are stranded.
07:02 Okay, as a last question, Eunice, do you have any reminders for our travelers?
07:07 We would like to remind our travelers who are still leaving for the port,
07:13 we hope that the number of people will increase later on in the port.
07:20 So, stay updated on our Facebook page of PPA.
07:26 All of our preparations are there, including the numbers that you can call.
07:30 And also, the prohibited goods.
07:33 I hope you will note that so that we can avoid any hazards.
07:36 And may our trips to the ports continue well.
07:39 Thank you very much, PPA spokesperson and my partner today, Eunice Samonte.