Senator Francis Escudero has called for rapid nationwide implementation of the government’s digital maritime passenger manifest system after the MV June Aster fire off Palawan raised concerns that the vessel carried more passengers than officially recorded. The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) already mandates digital manifests and is piloting tap‑and‑go cards and QR‑based registration, but uneven adoption across regional ports has prompted demands for full standardization in line with regional best practice.
On September 14, 2026, Philippine Senator Francis Escudero urged a nationwide rollout of the government’s digital passenger manifest system for sea travel following the MV June Aster ferry fire off Palawan, where the Philippine Coast Guard suggested the vessel may have carried more passengers than its official manifest. The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has already mandated the use of digital manifests to curb overloading and strengthen maritime safety, but implementation remains inconsistent across regional ports, with many still relying on paper‑based lists of passengers.
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