PPA sees 2.3 million passengers during Holy Week

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) recorded almost 2.3 million passengers in its managed ports nationwide during the Holy Week from April 12 to 20.

This figure represents a 37.14 percent increase from the 1.67 million passengers recorded during the same period last year.

The busiest Port Management Offices (PMOs) for passenger traffic included PMO Batangas, PMO Panay/Guimaras, PMO Mindoro, PMO Negros Oriental/Siquijor, and PMO Bohol.

PPA General Manager Jay Santiago attributed the surge in travel to the Holy Week coinciding with school breaks and the successful promotion of local tourist destinations.

Santiago thanked port stakeholders, government agencies, and passengers for their cooperation, which led to the success of the Holy Week operation.

The PPA is expected to roll out its Electronic Terminal Management System (ETMS) within the current year to streamline ticketing and reduce queues.

Meanwhile, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) saw a 14-percent increase in domestic travel and an 11-percent hike in international trips, facilitating 1.17 million passengers from April 13 to 20.

NAIA operator New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC) is working to upgrade the airport as part of its concession agreement.