There is mounting criticism over the way shipping companies issue tickets. For one, the ticketing offices are so small that they could hardly accommodate the huge daily crowd. There’s no public restroom.
And then there are “fixers”. These “fixers” allegedly operate freely at the Dumaguete port, enabling some to acquire tickets even when voyages are marked as full. This black-market access is not only unfair but deeply corrosive to the credibility of our maritime system. It suggests a vulnerability to corruption, a lack of oversight, and a disregard for the average commuter or tourist.
Aside from the presence of “fixers,” the situation has even become worse at the Dumaguete port because heavy trucks from Manila to Mindanao are forced to pass by Dumaguete on the Western Nautical Highway. This is due to the imposition of weight restrictions on the San Juanico Bridge on the Eastern Nautical Highway.
The recent call by Congressman and Mayor-Elect Manuel “Chiquiting” Sagarbarria and Governor Chaco Sagarbarria to the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) is a much-needed wake-up call. This situation has real consequences. Disenchanted tourists are avoiding Dumaguete altogether, opting for alternative ports. Businesses reliant on tourism are feeling the pinch, and local confidence in port governance is eroding. Congressman Sagarbarria is right — the damage is not merely operational, it’s reputational. And it is economic.
Solutions abound. A local businessman makes a compelling case for decentralized ticketing — sell them through hotels, restaurants, and commercial hubs. Let technology be an ally: the Regional Development Council of Region 7 has already backed online ticketing — yet many companies remain stuck in analog inertia.
If the airlines can sell flight tickets online across the country, why can’t shipping lines in Dumaguete do the same?
The infrastructure must also evolve. Congested, sweltering ticket offices with no restrooms or ventilation do not say “Welcome to Dumaguete.” They scream neglect. Investment in bigger, cleaner, and more efficient ticketing facilities is not a luxury — it is a basic requirement.
The fixers must go. The reforms must come. Dumaguete deserves nothing less.
