INFANTA PORT: NO DIRECT PASSENGER ROUTE TO POLILLO; OVERLOADING AND IRREGULAR FEE ALLEGATIONS UNPROVEN

INFANTA, Quezon — The Municipal Government of Infanta, through Mayor L.A. Ruanto, has clarified that there is no direct passenger vessel route connecting Infanta to Polillo Island. The actual routes covered by the investigation were Infanta–Panukulan and Panukulan–Infanta.
The municipal government also reported that an investigation found no sufficient evidence to substantiate allegations aired in a radio report in Manila claiming that port personnel were collecting passenger or terminal fees in exchange for excluding passengers from the official passenger manifest. According to the municipal government, the port collects only parking fees and vehicle entrance fees.
Authorities further assured the public that passenger vessels undergo inspection by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) before being allowed to operate. These inspections aim to ensure compliance with passenger capacity limits and other maritime safety requirements.
The municipal government reiterated its commitment to ensuring safe and orderly port operations while addressing concerns raised by the public regarding passenger transport services in the area.

Photo By: JR Narit