Metro Manila, Philippines – Over two million passengers passed through ports during the Holy Week break, the Philippine Ports Authority said on Monday, April 21.
In a press statement, the PPA said it recorded over 2.2 million passengers from April 12 to 20, compared with last year’s 1.6 million.
The highest foot traffic was reported at Batangas port, the gateway to different provinces in Luzon and the Visayas.
“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 Jay Santiago, PPA general manager.
[Translation: We have the #PPAsyalTayo campaign where we showcase tourist destinations accessible through our ports, places that people don’t normally go.]
The agency said the port situation was generally peaceful.
Santiago vowed to further improve port operations, including the rollout of an e-ticketing system in Batangas port – an order from Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon.
Bus situation
Meanwhile, passenger influx at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) may extend until Wednesday, April 23.
The terminal operator said foot traffic may reach nearly 200,000 on Tuesday and Wednesday.
It said it has already recorded nearly two million passengers from April 9 to 20.
NewsWatch Plus correspondent Lance Mejico contributed to this report.
