Free lugaw (rice porridge), coffee and bread have been distributed in some ports since Easter Sunday as passengers begin their travel back home and their workplaces after a long Lenten break.
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said colorful eggs were also distributed to the passengers, particularly children, on Easter Sunday as part of the measures to make them comfortable while waiting for the ships and ferries at the pre-departure areas.
The distribution of free food was in compliance with the directive of the PPA General Jay Daniel Santiago last week to prepare food, particularly what he referred to as PPA signature lugaw, in anticipation of delays in travel.
“For those who have additional budget, we have food stalls inside the ports but for those who have tight budgets, we prepared food, water and other food items that would be distributed for free for our kababayan, particularly those who would be stranded,” said Santiago.
PMO Davao personnel provide free rice porridge to passengers at the Port of Babak.
In Davao, PPA spokesperson Eunice Samonte said free rice porridge and free-flowing coffee were made available by the Port Management Office (PMO) of Davao to passengers at the Port of Babak.
She said more than 400 passengers were given free lugaw at the Port of Babak.
Samonte said free rice porridge was also distributed by personnel of the PMO Davao for passengers at the Port of Sasa on Sunday, April 9.
An employee of the PMO Agusan gives easter egg to one of the passengers at the Port of Nasipit in Agusan del Norte
“Aside from bread, each cup of rice porridge comes with a colorful egg in celebration of Easter Sunday,” said Samonte.
In Agusan del Norte, the PMO Agusan also distributed Easter eggs to passengers at the Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) of the Nasipit Port.
Millions of people are expected to troop back to Metro Manila and other urban areas as the long Lenten break officially ends on Monday, April 10.
The PPA said it is expecting around 2.2 million passengers from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday in various ports across the country.