SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro — A push is underway to make one of Occidental Mindoro’s busiest sea gateways safer and more convenient after provincial lawmakers raised concerns over passengers being forced to walk long distances between the terminal and boarding area—sometimes while exposed to heavy rain.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Occidental Mindoro has approved two resolutions seeking improvements at the Abra de Ilog Port in Barangay Matabang, with the measures targeting passenger protection and emergency response capabilities.
The action came after SP Member Ryan G. Sioson personally witnessed passengers walking from the passenger terminal toward their vessels despite heavy rainfall.
For commuters who regularly depend on the Abra de Ilog–Batangas route, the situation highlighted a basic but significant problem: getting to the ship can itself become difficult during bad weather.
Covered walkway proposed for passengers
One of the approved resolutions asks the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to construct or install a covered walkway stretching from the port entrance to the passenger boarding area.
The proposed facility is intended to shield travelers from rain and intense heat while they make their way to their vessels.
Sioson had earlier appealed to the PPA and roll-on/roll-off shipping operators to address the situation, particularly during the rainy season.
While waiting for a permanent covered walkway, he suggested using shuttle buses or other transport vehicles to ferry passengers from the terminal to the vessels.
That proposal could provide an interim solution, particularly for senior citizens, children, persons with disabilities and passengers carrying heavy luggage.
Second resolution seeks emergency vehicle
The provincial board also approved a separate resolution seeking assistance from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., through the Department of Budget and Management, for a service vehicle to be assigned to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).
The vehicle is envisioned to support emergency response, passenger assistance, disaster-risk-reduction operations and coordination among agencies operating in and around the port.
The request takes on added significance because sea travel in Mindoro can be affected by monsoon conditions and tropical weather.
In July, authorities suspended trips at Abra de Ilog Port involving Montenegro Shipping Lines and Island Water’s Isla Simara during adverse weather conditions as a precaution for passengers.
Port improvements are already being pursued
The latest resolutions come as Abra de Ilog Port is already undergoing a broader modernization and improvement effort.
The PPA previously reported that a 200-meter breakwater worth about ₱500 million, completed in 2023, has helped reduce the impact of strong waves on port operations.
However, PPA officials said additional protection may still be necessary during peak monsoon months, with an extension of the breakwater being considered.
The port has also gained an expanded area through reclamation that serves as a temporary holding area for outbound vehicles, helping address congestion when several shipping lines are operating simultaneously.
Despite these improvements, docking capacity and passenger-terminal operations have remained among the challenges being addressed. PPA previously reported that some docking areas were under maintenance, while the newly built passenger terminal was awaiting installation of its three-phase electrical system before becoming fully operational.
The PPA’s official project listings also include a proposed Abra de Ilog Port Expansion Project, underscoring the port’s continuing role in the province’s long-term transportation and logistics plans.
Why Abra de Ilog Port matters
Abra de Ilog serves as a crucial maritime link between Occidental Mindoro and mainland Luzon, particularly Batangas.
For residents, workers, traders and tourists, the route is more than a passenger connection—it is an important lifeline for the movement of people, vehicles and goods.
The province has also been looking at larger port investments. Earlier this year, the Department of Agriculture backed a proposed ₱2-billion Abra de Ilog Deep Water Port, which is intended to accommodate larger vessels and improve the movement of agricultural and fishery products between Mindoro, Luzon and potentially export markets.
This means improvements to the existing passenger experience are happening alongside longer-term plans to strengthen Abra de Ilog’s role as a logistics hub.
Safety remains a major concern
The need for better passenger facilities also comes amid continued efforts by maritime authorities to strengthen sea-travel safety in Occidental Mindoro.
The Philippine Coast Guard has previously intensified coastal safety measures across the province, including at Abra de Ilog, while reminding passengers and boat operators about life-saving equipment and maritime safety protocols.
Weather disruptions also remain an unavoidable reality.
During periods of hazardous sea conditions, authorities have suspended trips at Abra de Ilog to protect passengers and vessels.
What happens next?
The two resolutions do not yet mean that a covered walkway or emergency vehicle is already available.
Instead, the approved measures will be forwarded to the concerned national government agencies for appropriate action.
The immediate challenge now is turning the provincial government’s requests into concrete improvements on the ground.
For passengers who have endured long walks between the terminal and their vessels under the rain, the proposed covered walkway could be a relatively simple infrastructure upgrade—but one that could make a major difference in comfort, accessibility and safety.
And with Abra de Ilog being positioned for even larger port and logistics investments, the pressure to improve the passenger experience may only grow.
For Mindoro travelers, the question now is no longer whether Abra de Ilog Port needs improvement—it is how soon these proposed solutions will finally reach the people who use the port every day.
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