Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 12) — The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) on Tuesday said it is intensifying its efforts to assure security in ports as it expects around 5.1 million passengers during the holiday season from Dec. 16 to Jan. 15 next year.
The PPA said this is higher than the 4.7 million travelers recorded in 2022, as travel restrictions eased up.
In a news release, PPA General Manager Jay Santiago assured preparations have been made early to accommodate commuters, including expanding the ports’ passenger terminal buildings.
Santiago said the Port of Batangas is set to open the extension of its passenger terminal building to increase its 3,500-passenger capacity to 8,000.
He said the Port of Batangas receives around 17,000 to 20,000 passengers daily during peak season.
Santiago said other ports that could be crowded during the Christmas season are those run by Port Management Offices (PMO) Panay/Guimaras, Mindoro, Negros Occidental/Bacolod/Banago/BREDCO, and Negros Oriental/Siquijor.
The PPA said it already urged shipping lines to increase the number of vessels to avoid the stranding of passengers.
