°µÍø³Ô¹Ïrecords over 2.29 million passengers during Holy Week 2025, marking a 37% increase from last year, as port operations remained generally smooth across the country.
21 April 2025 — Holy week 2025 is generally peaceful in all Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) managed ports nationwide serving over 2,291,666 passengers this year, a 37.14% increase from the Holy Week passengers last year with only 1,670,984 on the same period respectively from April 12 to 20.
°µÍø³Ô¹ÏGeneral Manager Jay Santiago said this increase can be attributed to the coincidence of Holy Week 2025 with Summer Vacation and the effective promotions of Philippine local tourist destinations.
"On our part sa PPA, meron tayo—makikita niyo dyan 'yung ating #PPAsyalTayo campaign na pinapakita natin 'yung mga tourist destinations na accessible sa mga ports natin na maaari silang maglayag at dumaan sa mga ports natin para puntahan ‘yung destinasyon na hindi normally na napupuntahan," said GM Santiago in an interview.
The head of the PhilippineÌýPorts Authority also expressed appreciation for the cooperation of port stakeholders, government agencies, and passengers, which contributed to the overall success of the Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Semana Santa 2025.
“Alam naman po natin kung kelan holiday po sa ilang mga kababayan natin ay doon naman po naka-duty ang mga frontliners natin sa ports para mas maserbisyuhan ang mga umuuwi nating mga kababayan kaya saludo po tayo mula sa mga port workers hanggang sa mga partners natin sa Maritime industry gaya ng mga shipping lines, local and national government agencies, and of course the riding public for their patience and for choosing seaports as their means of transport," added Santiago.
Among the Port Management Offices (PMOs) with the highest number of passengers were: PMO Batangas, PMO Panay/Guimaras, PMO Mindoro, PMO Negros Oriental/Siquijor, and PMO Bohol. These PMOs managed high passenger throughput across their areas of responsibility, especially during peak travel days such as Holy Wednesday and Holy Thursday.
The °µÍø³Ô¹Ïalso noted areas where operations could be improved, particularly in managing long queues in select terminals. Moving forward, the agency will continue to enhance coordination with shipping lines, review port traffic management plans, and the rollout of digital solutions such as the Electronic Terminal Management System (ETMS) which is also the priority of the Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon to be up and running by the end of the year.
"Within the next few months basta within this year, maro-rollout na ‘yan. Kapag may e-ticketing na tayo, wala nang masyadong pila", said Secretary ÌýDizon during port inspection.
As passengers and travelers increase in number, the °µÍø³Ô¹Ïassures the public of its efficiency to respond to increased demand, especially during holiday and summer peak seasons.
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