PPA forecasts rise in passenger traffic

For Holy Week

MANILA, Philippines — Despite recent hikes in shipping fares, Filipinos are still expected to ride inter-island vessels for Holy Week homecomings, pushing up passenger forecasts in domestic ports to nearly 2.5 million.

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said passenger volume during the Holy Week would likely increase by two percent to 2.46 million, from 2.41 million in 2025.

If achieved, the number will be the highest Lenten traffic in PPA ports in the post-pandemic period, resetting the previous high last year.

The PPA expects the Port of Batangas to end up again as the terminal with the most traffic during the Holy Week. The Iloilo River Wharf comes next, while the Port of Calapan is placed at third, and the list is rounded up by the Ports of Jordan and Bredco.

PPA spokesman Eunice Samonte said the projection was made prior to the US-Israel attacks on Iran that set off a domino effect on fuel prices and supply. The instability forced shipping lines to charge higher fares for cargo and passenger services.

“This projection was made before Semana Santa [Holy Week] based on the trend of PPA’s yearly passenger figures,” Samonte said.

“It is possible that the numbers would change considering the higher fares and the rising costs of fuel products, so we are monitoring the numbers as we speak,” she added.

The PPA will also be relying on its Online Reservation Assistance System (ORAS) to accelerate terminal procedures for passengers, especially during peak seasons like the Holy Week.

The initial rollout of ORAS covers passenger trips in the Ports of Balanacan, Batangas, Calapan and Lucena. The system gives passengers the option to register online prior to their voyage.

Afterward, they will be provided with a unique code that must be presented in the validation area for faster entry into the port. ORAS is part of PPA’s efforts to digitalize port processes and minimize red tape.

The Holy Week is one of the busiest periods in airports and seaports, as Filipinos tend to return to their hometowns for a quick vacation or a traditional pilgrimage.

However, this year poses economic hindrances for this annual tradition, as rising petroleum costs drove shipping lines to cut daily trips and jack up passenger fares.