The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is preparing for an influx of passengers this coming Holy Week with “OPLAN Biyaheng Ayos: Semana Santa 2025,” expecting a significant surge in travelers with a 3.5 percent increase in passengers from 1.67 million last year to 1.73 million this year across various ports nationwide from April 14-20, 2025.
The top 5 ports this Lenten season include the Port Management Offices (PMO) of Batangas with around 20,000-25,000 daily average passengers during peak season, PMO Mindoro on the second spot with highest number of expected passengers, PMO Panay/Guimaras still on the third spot same as last year, PMO Negros Orriental/ Siquijor, and PMO Bohol on the fifth spot with most number of passengers during peak season.
In the first three weeks of March alone, passenger numbers have already reached 3,027,881 averaging 1,009,294 passengers per week. For Holy Week, port passenger traffic is expected to peak, nearing pre-pandemic figures, with an estimated 1,729,426 travelers utilized port facilities during the Lenten season.
PPA General Manager Jay Santiago anticipates a substantial increase in passenger volume this year, compared to the same period last year, as more Filipinos take advantage of sea travel to visit their provinces, pilgrimage sites, and vacation destinations.
“We are prepared for the increased number of passengers this Holy Week 2025, especially as the Lenten Season coincides with summer, most of our local travelers are really taking advantage of this long days of day-off and for some tourists it is also a great time to explore our islands via sea travel”, GM Santiago said.
To accommodate the increased number of passengers, the PPA has mobilized additional personnel and enhanced terminal operations across key ports along with the recent visit of DoTr Secretary Vince Dizon in Visayas and Mindanao ports. Measures include optimizing passenger terminal facilities, ensuring the functionality of security and safety equipment, and deploying port police for crowd control and assistance.
In preparation for peak travel days, PPA has conducted maintenance checks on critical infrastructure, including standby generator sets for uninterrupted power supply, water systems, and ventilation to mitigate the effects of El Niño and rising temperatures this Lenten season.
“With the adequate manpower, appropriate facilities, and back-up systems placed in ports, we can assure the public that we are ready for the influx but then again, it is the peak season so we appeal to our passengers to book their tickets ahead of time and allot extra hours for travel going to the ports”, GM Santiago emphasized.
Help desks have been established in major ports nationwide for immediate information concerns of travelers along with the port police and representatives from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) for a seamless travel experience.
For real-time updates on port operations and schedule of trips, passengers may visit the PPA’s official website www.ppa.com.ph and follow its social media pages @PhilippinePortsAuthority or call PPA Helpdesk at (0632) 5-301-9453 up to 54.
