Passengers at Manila North Port bemoan delays, canceled trips

Cancellations and delays have marred the voyages of passenger ferries at the North Port Passenger Terminal in the City of Manila, exasperating commuters who are running out of patience and money for food as their inconvenience has dragged on for days.

Four trips of the 2GO Group Inc. have been canceled, affecting trips to and from Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, Bacolod, Ozamiz, and Palawan, according to Maki Pulido's report on Balitanghali.

Several commuters interviewed by GMA Integrated News said they have been waiting to board their ships for two days already.

With their travel budgets depleted, some are already hungry as they are unable to buy any more meals at the pier. Others were counting on the food to be served at the ferries.

Jojo Baruel, who ate his last meal on Wednesday night, came with P50 in his wallet ahead of his trip to Cebu. Now he's left with a meager P20 as he awaits the expected departure of his trip on Friday evening.

2GO staff at the terminal said the commuters were given prior notice that the original schedule of their trips would not push through.

However, some commuters denied receiving any SMS or email from 2GO, so they proceeded to the pier thinking that they would be able to travel on time.

'Duly informed'

However, in a statement to GMA Integrated News, 2GO said it issued appropriate advisories to passengers regarding their travel schedules.

The company attributed the series of delays and cancellations to Typhoon Kabayan, which ravaged Central and Southern Philippines earlier this December.

"Stemming from the domino effect of Typhoon Kabayan, our passengers have been duly informed of the delays prior to their scheduled voyages through SMS," 2GO said, adding that, "Advisories will continue to be posted on the 2GO Travel social media page. We remind all passengers to provide their contact numbers at the time of booking to get real-time updates on voyages."

As for the plight of affected passengers at the North Port, 2GO said food and water will be provided to them.

Passengers who wish to get refunds or rebook their tickets, the company said, may proceed to any 2GO retail outlet or at the 2GO ticketing counter at the pier.

"Rest assured that passenger welfare remains our priority and that we are working fast to arrange early embarkation of affected passengers," 2GO said.

Based on its 10 a.m. Thursday advisory on Facebook, 2GO Travel listed three voyages with revised schedules.

"We advise our passengers to be at the port 3-4 hours prior to the revised departure," the advisory read.

Pulido's report also said the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has yet to issue a statement as of posting time. — with a report from Ted Cordero/ VDV, GMA Integrated News