THE Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is preparing for a surge in passengers this upcoming All Saints’ Day break.
The PPA said its personnel will not be allowed to go on leaves from October 25 to November 4 to make sure that passengers can safely, smoothly, and conveniently travel.
In 2023, the agency said the port management office in Panay/Guimaras saw the highest number of passengers at 146,781. This was followed by the port in Batangas, which had 146,710 travellers.
This was followed by the Mindoro port (143,904), Negros Oriental/Siquijor port (129,880), and the Bohol port (127,332).
This year, the PPA said it expects 1,621,529 Filipinos to pass through the ports — a 5 percent increase from the 1,544,313 seen in 2023.
Meanwhile, the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) will also be on heightened alert from October 31 to November 5, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
The DOTr said security and station personnel will be present at the different train stations to help with any passenger needs.
The MRT will be available at its usual operating hours — the first train will leave the North Avenue station at 4:30 a.m. while the first train from the Taft Avenue station will leave at 5:30 a.m.
Meanwhile, the last train will leave North Avenue at 10:30 p.m., and the last station will leave Taft Avenue at 10:09 p.m.
The LRT-2 also said it will be on its regular operating schedule, with the first trains from the Recto and Antipolo stations both leaving at 5 a.m.. The last train from Antipolo will leave at 9 p.m., while the last train from Recto will leave at 9:30 p.m.
Aside from trains and ports, airports all over the country are also on heightened alert ahead of the All Saints’ Day break.
A group of hotel owners in the Philippines said it still expects Filipinos to go on vacation during the Undas break despite the threat of storms over the country. (ABS-CBN News)
