Passenger traffic in seaports nationwide during the Holy Week period declined by 7 percent to 2.23 million from 2.41 million in 2025—marking the first drop in five years, according to the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).
In a report, PPA General Manager Jay Santiago attributed the decrease in passenger volume from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday primarily to higher shipping fares driven by rising fuel costs.
GM Santiago also noted that some Filipinos opted to travel earlier during the non-peak season to avoid heavy crowds, while others chose to stay closer to home or skip travel altogether to save on expenses.
The Port Management Offices (PMOs) with the highest passenger traffic were Panay/Guimaras, Batangas, Negros Oriental/Siquijor, Mindoro, and Davao.
The PPA, which implemented Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Semana Santa 2026, reported a generally smooth flow of passengers across ports, with no untoward incidents recorded.
The improved passenger experience was also attributed to the implementation of the Online Reservation Assistance System (ORAS) in select ports. The system allows travelers to secure tickets in advance, helping reduce long queues at terminals.
GM Santiago said passengers who used ORAS were able to reserve slots on vessels before arriving at the port, making travel more convenient.
The 2026 Holy Week marks the first decline in passenger traffic since 2022. PPA data show that passenger volume reached 2.414 million in 2025, up from 1.976 million in 2024. In 2023, total passengers were recorded at 1.870 million, while 2022 saw 1.338 million travelers.
The PPA forecasted passenger traffic of 2.455 million for the 2026 Semana Santa travel season.
