QuestionsQuestions (MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 48)
It aims to ensure safe and comfortable sea travel by preventing over-crowding/overloading and controlling or eliminating ticket scalping in interisland passenger vessels.
The vessel should be berthed about 1 to 1.5 meters (or as practicable) away from the quay/pier during embarkation to help prevent crowding and ensure orderly boarding.
Manifests or passenger lists must be prepared and made available before the vessel leaves port.
Only persons with tickets shall be allowed to board the vessel.
They shall be assessed one hundred percent (100%) additional fare as a penalty.
They are prohibited from issuing tickets on board except for the purpose of issuing tickets with the corresponding penalty (i.e., charging the 100% additional fare penalty).
A fine not exceeding Five Thousand Pesos (₱5,000.00) for the first offense.
Succeeding offenses shall be dealt with more severely.
Shipowners/ship officers are responsible for conducting head count, consistent with PCGG Memorandum Circular No. 04-88.
Yes. Cabins of ship’s officers and crew may be subjected to inspection to prevent passengers from hiding in these spaces.
They shall be accompanied by at least one member of the vessel’s complement during monitoring/checking of the number of passengers onboard.
Officers and crew members shall always wear uniforms or identification paraphernalia to distinguish them from passengers.
Under no circumstances may a vessel carrying more than or in excess of its authorized passenger capacity leave port. A violation carries a penalty of Ten Thousand Pesos (₱10,000.00) for the first offense, with succeeding offenses dealt with more severely.
It takes effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette and/or a newspaper of general circulation.
The government’s policy to ensure the riding public of safe and comfortable sea travel and to avoid over-crowding/overloading while controlling/eliminating scalping of tickets.