The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) assured the public of its full readiness to accommodate the expected surge of passengers this Holy Week, as it implements heightened operational measures under Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Semana Santa 2026.
Before the Semana Santa surge, PPA General Manager Jay Santiago already committed a full manpower PPA force nationwide with passenger traffic projected to reach 2.46 million from March 29 to April 5, 2026, slightly higher by 1.70% compared to the 2.41 million recorded during the same period last year.
The modest growth in passenger volume is attributed to a combination of factors, including slower economic momentum and cautious household spending, which may limit discretionary travel. The official end of the school year on March 31 has likewise given families more flexibility in planning their travel schedules before, during, or after the Holy Week. Among PPA’s Port Management Offices (PMOs), the ports expected to experience the highest passenger volumes include Iloilo River Wharf, Batangas, Calapan, Jordan, and Bacolod (BREDCO).
“Maaga po tayong nakapaghanda para sa Semana Santa 2026, tuloy-tuloy rin po ang surprise inspection natin even before the peak season para siguraduhin na walang aberya sa biyahe ng mga kababayan natin na minsan lang rin uuwi sa kani-kanilang probinsya,” GM Santiago said.
Operational measures include the optimization of passenger terminal facilities, strict readiness of safety and security equipment, and the deployment of port police for crowd control and passenger assistance.
Maintenance checks have also been conducted on critical infrastructure such as standby generator sets, water systems, and ventilation facilities to ensure uninterrupted and comfortable terminal operations during peak travel days. Helpdesks have been established across all ports to promptly address passenger concerns, while regular travel advisories and updates are being disseminated through PPA’s official Facebook page to keep the public informed.
In line with the rollout of the Online Reservation Assistance System (ORAS), PPA officials conducted inspections at the Port of Lucena and the Port of Batangas on March 30 to ensure its smooth implementation and to assess on-ground conditions during the early phase of the Lenten travel rush.
PPA GM Santiago reiterated the agency’s readiness and encouraged passengers to take advantage of the system.
“Sa mga kababayan po natin lalo na sa mga babiyahe at dadaan sa ating mga pantalan sa Batangas at Lucena, inaanyayahan po namin silang mag-enroll sa Online Reservation Assistance System para mas maging maayos at mabilis ang kanilang biyahe. Wala pong bayad ito at hindi po tayo naniningil,” GM Santiago emphasized.
Through these measures, the PPA reaffirms its commitment to providing safe, efficient, and passenger-focused port services throughout the Holy Week travel period. The agency likewise assured the public that all ports remain on heightened alert and fully prepared to respond to any operational concerns, ensuring that passengers can travel with confidence, convenience, and peace of mind during one of the year’s busiest travel seasons.
