Batangas Port is a two-hour bus ride from the Cubao bus hub.
(This excludes the North to South EDSA swing.)
Certified as an international port, measures are in place to
regulate flow of people and goods. Security protocols are followed. Entering
the complex is like entering a military camp though at times security is lax.
Buses from Metro Manila disembark right at the parking area
leading to the ticketing area. Likewise, arriving passengers from other islands
just walk to the parking area with direct destination via STAR Expressway to
Cubao, Pasay, Alabang and at the airport.
Port controls ships, ferries, ROROs, large motorized bancas
schedules. Montenegro, 2Go, Ocean Jet, FastCat are among the prominent
companies awarded with franchises.
In the advent of advanced communications, one at the very
least expects information on departures, arrivals, availability posted real
time. Websites are down, cell phone numbers are not updated, Messenger chats
are not replied to within acceptable time necessitating one to physically check
out just for these at the port.
Imagine this inconvenience to those on multiple
journeys. While other facilities are in place, processes are broken most of the
time.
No wonder during peak travel hours as Holy Week, Christmas,
elections, long weekends, days with
turbulent weather, local news broadcast bottle necks, congestions,
unexpected cancellations and long waits.
My simplest workaround as an intrepid traveler is to
establish a local mole stationed at the port to secure information. With
confirmed data, that's the only time one moves from Metro Manila to SLEX to
conveniently be at the gateway to the islands with a confirmed seat hours not
half day or a day before departure. It also spares me of unnecessary travel and
outrage.
