The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is expecting an estimated 5.2 million arriving and departing passengers in ports during this Christmas rush, its General Manager Jay Santiago said on Thursday, Dec. 21.
According to Santiago, the number of passengers this year would be higher than the record in 2022.
"Inaasahan natin na papalo ng halos 5.2 milyon na pasahero ngayong Christmas break na ito, kumpara sa 4.7 milyon lang noong nakaraang taon. Kaya dadami talaga ang mga kababaya natin na bibyahe," he said in an interview Interviewed during DZRH Dos Por Dos.
GM Jay Santiago, Phil. Ports Authority, sa sitwasyon ng ports: Simula December 16 hanggang January 5, handang-handa na ang mga pantalan natin. In fact, nagmo-monitor tayo sa lahat ng kaganapan sa pantalan.#DosPorDos#SamaSamaTayoPilipino
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) December 20, 2023
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The PPA General Manager said the Port of Batangas already experienced full booking on Wednesday, Dec. 20, with some passengers lining up until midnight just to reserve a ticket.
He described the Batangas Port as the busiest port in the country.
"Naka-soft launch na ang expansion area dito sa Port of Batangas noong December 18. 'Yon na ang pinakamalaking passenger terminal sa buong Pilipinas. Ang kapasidad ay nasa 8,000 na pasahero at any given time. Napakalaki niyan," Santigao said.
The PPA General Manager reminded passengers to plan their trip and arrive early on their booked schedule.
"Huwag na sila magdadala ng mga bagay na hindi essential, lalong-lalo na yung mga bagay na matutulis, matatalim. More importantly, check-in nila yung destination nila, kung pinapayagan mag-uwi ng meat products, lalong-lalo na yung mga hamon, dahil may mga destinasyon na nagbabawal magpasok ng meat products dahil sa banta ng ASF," he added.
