Oriental Mindoro Rep. Rona Leachon Highlights Prolonged Delay at Batangas Port

Oriental Mindoro Representative Rona Leachon expressed frustration over an extended delay experienced during her recent voyage from Calapan to Batangas Port. Scheduled to depart at 2:30 p.m., her ship was unable to dock until 6:04 p.m., resulting in a wait of over three and a half hours at the port.

In a social media post, Leachon detailed how their vessel remained onboard while other ships, some arriving later, were prioritized for docking. She pointed out the absence of available docking slots as the primary cause of the holdup, compelling passengers to endure long waiting times despite having time-sensitive appointments.

Leachon stated, "We left Calapan at 2:30 p.m., yet by 5:40 p.m., we were still aboard the ship unable to dock because we're waiting for another ship to leave due to no open parking or docking space. This raises concerns, especially for passengers with urgent commitments." She added that it was disheartening to see several vessels that arrived after hers were granted docking ahead of them.

The delay culminated with disembarkation only occurring after 6:00 p.m., well after sunset, further adding to passenger discomfort. Representative Leachon’s candid remarks highlight issues surrounding port capacity and scheduling, echoing broader concerns about infrastructure and service efficiency at Batangas Port.