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DOTr assures readiness of transport hubs for Holy Week travel surge
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Philippine Ports Authority predicts 2.46 million sea passengers from March 29 to April 5, representing a 1.70% rise from last year’s 2.41 million during the Semana Santa period
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Ninoy Aquino International Airport is projected to handle 1.353 million passengers from March 28 to April 5 — slightly above the 1.327 million recorded during the same period in 2025
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said all major road, rail, air, and sea hubs are ready to handle an expected 5 million passengers during the Lenten season.
Transport acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez made the assurance on March 31 at a joint press briefing with Public works secretary Vince Dizon, Interior secretary Jonvic Remulla, and Philippine National Police chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has mobilized 17,000 personnel on full alert since March 28 — four days before the peak travel period.
Lopez ordered PCG vessels to be pre-positioned at high-volume passenger ports in Batangas, Calapan, and Marinduque to provide immediate free rides to stranded passengers if ferry capacity falls short.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has issued 1,297 special permits to bus companies, with instructions to issue additional permits as demand warrants.
Rail operations (LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3) will be shut down from Maundy Thursday through Easter Sunday for their annual maintenance cycle.
The EDSA Busway will operate around the clock to fill the gap, alongside ride-hailing services.
Ports brace for 2.46 million sea travelers
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) predicts 2.46 million sea passengers from March 29 to April 5, representing a 1.70% rise from last year’s 2.41 million during the Semana Santa period.
The modest increase in passenger numbers indicates slower economic growth and cautious household spending, which could limit discretionary travel.
Ports expected to see the heaviest traffic include Iloilo River Wharf, Batangas, Calapan, Jordan, and Bacolod’s BREDCO terminal.
PPA general manager Jay Santiago said preparations began well ahead of the rush, with surprise inspections conducted before the peak season to head off any operational disruptions.
The agency conducted on-ground inspections at the Port of Lucena and the Port of Batangas on March 30 as part of the rollout of its Online Reservation Assistance System or ORAS, and encouraged passengers to use the platform to manage their bookings.
NAIA expects 1.35 million air passengers
At Ninoy Aquino International Airport, operator New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) is projecting 1,353,265 passengers over the nine-day window from March 28 to April 5 — slightly above the 1,326,730 recorded during the same Semana Santa period in 2025. Passenger growth is lower than initially forecast due to flight suspensions and operating restrictions tied to the Middle East crisis that have curtailed some international services.
April 5 is expected to be the single busiest day of the travel period, with projected traffic of 158,884 passengers, followed closely by March 28 at 157,804. Daily passenger volume is forecast to remain above 143,000 throughout the period.
Terminal 3 will carry the heaviest load at 712,932 passengers, followed by Terminal 2 with 346,342 and Terminal 1 with 293,990.
NNIC has deployed additional personnel across check-in counters, immigration, and security screening areas, extended operating hours for passenger assistance desks, and stepped up real-time monitoring of terminal congestion in coordination with the DOTr, Manila International Airport Authority, Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Customs, Office for Transportation Security, airlines, and ground handlers.
