PORT AREA, Manila — Committed to deliver the service the public needs, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) disclosed that it is looking to complete its Electronic Ticketing Management System (EMTS) project before the year ends.

According to PPA spokesperson Eunice Samonte, the agency hopes to utilize the EMTS in the next peak season with the PPA foreseeing more and more passengers booking to travel in the succeeding months as recently seen during the Lenten season.

"Balak po itong matapos bago magtapos ang taon
hopefully para magamit na sa mga next peak season natin," Samonte noted.

She added that the enhanced ticketing system went through pilot testing during the Covid-19 pandemic, but it has yet to be officially launched.

The PPA spokesperson believes the ETMS will likewise solve the problem in the sale of fake tickets by scammers who usually message people on Viber to sell tickets using the PPA logo.

Shipping lines currently use different websites for tickets but the ETMS, averting any possible confusion, will provide a central website for all PPA customers.

"Lahat ng online ticketing ng mga shipping line, doon na po makikita," the PPA spokesperson cited while advising the public to be cautious in purchasing from fixers.

"Iyong sa mga fixer na nabanggit ko kanina, mag-aalok sila ng tripleng presyo ng ticket. Kapalit po nito, hindi na pipila sa pantalan. But then again, ito po ay hindi affiliated with PPA or sa shipping line, at maaaring bentahan pa sila ng mas mahal dahil bukod sa ticket, nagbebenta rin sila ng insurance," Samonte pointed out.

"Alalahanin po natin na wala po tayong dapat bayaran na insurance sa atin pong mga barko. Ito po'y kasama na sa bibilhin na ticket ng mga pasahero," she added to conclude.