PPA EXPECTS 2.2 MILLION TRAVELERS FOR HOLY WEEK

The Philippine Ports Authority said Thursday that the number of travelers passing through ports would hit 2.2 million throughout the upcoming Holy Week.

PPA spokesperson Eunice Samonte said this is an increase from last year’s Holy Week figure of 1.2 million.

“Inaasahan natin na madadagdagan ‘yan ngayong taon na nasa 2.2 million ‘yung ating forecast ngayong Holy Week mula Palm Sunday hanggang Easter Sunday,” she said in a public briefing.

(We expect the number of travelers to increase for this year’s Holy Week to 2.2 million from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday.)

The top five ports where most passengers are expected to pass through are  located in Batangas, Iloilo, Calapan in Oriental Mindoro, Jordan in Guimaras, and Babak in Davao, according to Samonte.

She said all their ports are now operating 24/7, and all PPA personnel and frontliners were ordered not to take a leave of absence and cancel their days off to ensure continuous monitoring of ports.

“Magplano na lang ng mas maagang trip para maiwasan ‘yung mga hassle lalo na 'yung papunta sa pantalan. Agahan po nila 'yung punta sa pantalan dahil na-expect na natin na simula na ng peak season so mas mahaba na 'yung mga pila," she reminded travelers.

(Plan your trip early to avoid the hassle, especially for those going to ports. They should be there early because the peak season has already started and the lines will be longer.)

Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard will be on heightened alert for Holy Week. 

“Meron na pong inilabas na instructions ang ating mahal na kalihim Secretary Bautista sa Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Semana Santa and Summer Vacation 2023. Ito po ay pagdedeklara ng heightened alert ng inyong PCG mula 2 ng Abril hanggang 10 ng Abril,” PCG deputy commandant for operations Vice Admiral Rolando Lizor Punzalan Jr. said. 

(Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista has issued instructions for Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Semana Santa and Summer Vacation 2023. This is to declare heightened alert in PCG from April 2 to 10.)

Punzalan said the PCG would improve its monitoring of seaports during the period. —with Joviland Rita/LBG/VBL, GMA Integrated News

 

This article PPA expects 2.2 million travelers for Holy Week was originally published in GMA News Online.

2023-03-30T08:08:52Z dg43tfdfdgfd