As millions of Filipinos prepare to journey across the country for Holy Week, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is taking bold steps to ensure that this year’s “Oplan Byaheng Ayos” goes beyond safety and efficiency — into the realm of modernization and long-term transformation.

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, alongside key officials from the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), conducted a full inspection of the Batangas Port Passenger Terminal, the largest of its kind in the country, on April 10. 

The inspection marks the culmination of weeks of preparation for the Holy Week travel surge, which is expected to bring over 1.73 million travelers to public transport systems nationwide, a 3.5 percent increase from last year, according to the PPA.

“President Bongbong Marcos has given us clear instructions, especially with Semana Santa approaching next week, that we need to ensure the safety and convenience of our countrymen’s travel,” said Dizon in Filipino in an ambush interview inside the Batangas Port Terminal on Thursday.

“Whether by air, land, or sea, we need it to be organized, safe, and as convenient as possible,” said Dizon. 

Planned e-ticketing system

A centerpiece of the DOTr’s new approach is the planned implementation of a port-wide e-ticketing system. 

The initiative, led by the PPA and supported by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the PCG, aims to eliminate long queues, reduce wait times, and curb the operations of ticket “fixers”, unauthorized individuals who prey on unsuspecting travelers.

“There will be kiosks installed — it will be very nice, especially for our passengers,” said Dizon. “With this system, passengers won’t have to line up for hours or wait for ticket booths to open. They can purchase tickets in advance, get inside the terminal earlier, and wait in comfort.”

“This system was suspended before, but it will be very beneficial, especially for our passengers,” he added.

According to Dizon, the e-ticketing system, while not yet live for this Holy Week, is set to roll out in the coming months and may be fully operational in time for the Christmas rush, another peak travel season. 

The initial deployment includes six self-service kiosks, with more to be added depending on passenger volume and demand, Dizon said. Eventually, the system will support online ticket purchasing, further enhancing accessibility and convenience.

The DOTr chief said not only will the system simplify the ticket-buying process, but it will also play a key role in passenger safety. The digital integration will allow port authorities and maritime agencies to track ticket sales in real time, cross-referencing them with a ship’s authorized capacity. This will help eliminate overloading, a persistent issue in seaport operations.

“Overloading is one of our biggest problems,” Dizon noted. “Now, with e-ticketing and real-time data sharing, we’ll know exactly how many passengers are boarding, and we’ll be able to stop excess boarding before it becomes a safety issue.”

Dizon said a joint memorandum circular signed earlier this week by the DOTr, PPA, MARINA, and the PCG lays out strict anti-overloading protocols, with penalties including hefty fines, license suspension, or revocation for non-compliant operators. 

“The circular is about anti-overloading measures, which is crucial, especially when there are many travelers,” Dizon explained. 

PCG’s commandant Admiral Ronnie Gavan said the Coast Guard operatives are also increasing surveillance and coordination with the Bureau of Immigration to ensure that all boarding passengers are properly identified, especially amid reports of foreign nationals bypassing standard checks.

Philippine Coast Guard’s commandant Admiral Ronnie Gavan (right) joins Transportation Secretary Dizon (center) and PPA’s GM Santiago (left) during the inspection. 

Inside the Philippines’ largest port, Batangas sees 20,000 to 25,000 passengers daily at the height of the holiday season.

Batangas Port: Model for modern terminals

With its clean, well-lit interiors, improved access roads, covered walkways, and terminal amenities that resemble a modern airport, Batangas Port is being positioned as a model seaport for future upgrades nationwide.

The port is the largest maritime hub in Luzon with a passenger capacity of over 8,000. It is in Barangay Sta. Clara, Batangas City, about 110 kilometers south of Metro Manila, and the number one port in the Philippines in terms of passenger traffic in 2024.

It serves as a major maritime hub in the Calabarzon region. Batangas Port provides vital sea links between mainland Luzon and the MIMAROPA provinces, as well as key destinations in the Visayas and Mindanao, including Iloilo, Negros, Cebu, and other southern routes through fast crafts, ferries, and roll-on/roll-off vessels.

In addition to Batangas Port, the top five ports with the highest number of passengers this Holy Week include the Port Management Offices (PMO) of Mindoro, Panay/Guimaras, Negros Oriental/Siquijor, and Bohol. Passenger traffic is expected to peak starting April 14, as people head home to their respective provinces.

“Before, the access roads were narrow and crowded with street vendors. Now, when passengers arrive, they’re welcomed with organized pathways, trolleys for heavy luggage, and shuttles for seniors and persons with disabilities,” Dizon said, referring to the modernized Batangas Port. 

“It’s a world-class facility, and it’s only getting better.”

Restroom facilities, often a source of passenger complaints in the past, were also inspected by Dizon. He emphasized that clean and sufficient restrooms are a basic but essential part of passenger comfort. “It’s crucial to have enough and clean restrooms facilities at airports and ports, especially for those (passengers) who stay here for long hours or overnight,” he said. 

Preparing for surge

While Batangas Port currently handles 20,000 to 25,000 passengers per day during peak periods, the DOTr is already eyeing future expansion.

“Even though this is the biggest port in the country, we must be ready to expand,” said Dizon. “Our population is growing. More Filipinos are traveling — not just in Luzon, but to places like Palawan, Visayas, and Mindanao. We must plan ahead.”

For its part, the PPA said operational readiness is the top priority. The agency is also promoting domestic tourism through its #PPAsyaltayo travel campaign, which highlights the role of seaports in unlocking new travel destinations across the country.

When asked about the factors contributing to this year’s projected increase in Holy Week travelers compared to 2024, PPA’s general manager Jay Santiago cited the rise of social media, continued post-pandemic recovery, and a strong renewed interest in local travel.

Santiago also advised travelers to buy their tickets early, ahead of the expected surge in passengers on April 14 and 15 next week. 

“We advise passengers to arrive at least three hours before their trip, especially if they don’t have a ticket yet,” Santiago said. “Securing your ticket should be your priority. Don’t wait until Monday to buy your tickets.”

In addition to the upcoming e-ticketing rollout, the DOTr is also working to improve Wi-Fi connectivity within the Batangas terminal. 

“Right now, it’s only Smart, but we are working on adding Globe and Converge, so all providers are available for passengers. If there’s only one provider and 8,000 people are inside (terminal), it might run out. We hope to add more Wi-Fi by next week for the passengers.”

From tech upgrades to safety enforcement, passenger welfare remains at the heart of the DOTr’s initiatives. 

“We know our commuters and travelers go through a lot, and we’re thinking of out-of-the-box solutions to make their journey easier,” Dizon said.

MARINA tightens ship inspections nationwide

Meanwhile, as part of its intensified safety measures for the Holy Week travel rush, the MARINA has inspected 103 passenger ships across the country under its Intensified Compliance Monitoring (ICM) initiative.

The campaign aims to ensure vessels navigating the Philippine Nautical Highway are seaworthy and fully compliant with maritime safety regulations, especially amid the sharp increase in sea travel during the holiday period.

Of the ships inspected, 10 were temporarily suspended due to safety-related deficiencies, as of this writing. Six have since been cleared following verification of corrective actions, while four remain grounded pending full compliance and re-inspection.

“Our priority is the safety of every Filipino passenger,” said MARINA’s administrator Sonia B. Malaluan on April 11. “The results of our inspections show that the majority of our operators are compliant. For the few who fell short, swift actions was taken to ensure that no unsafe vessel puts lives at risk.”

“The quick turnaround of corrective measures from most of the suspended vessels is also a positive indication of responsible ship operation and industry cooperation,” Malaluan added. 

Seven MARINA inspection teams were deployed to major port areas from April 1 to 12, concentrating on routes with historically high passenger volumes. 

The ICM program is designed not just to protect lives, but also to minimize travel disruptions caused by last-minute vessel suspensions, according to MARINA.

All photos credit: Liz Lagniton

Top photo: Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon (middle) speaks to the media inside the busy Batangas Passenger Terminal on April 10 as preparations ramp up for the surge of Holy Week and summer vacation travelers.