The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is expecting more than two million passengers to troop to various ports across the country to either go to their hometown or on a vacation during this year’s observance of the Holy Week.

In anticipation of the influx of passengers from March 24 to 31, PPA General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago said he already ordered all Port Management Offices (PMOs) to prepare both the necessary security measures and plans to make the travel comfortable to the passengers.

Part of the instruction is to keep all the areas in the ports, particularly comfort rooms, clean and presentable at all times.

“There will also be free film showing for the passengers while they are waiting for the arrival of the vessels,” said Santiago.

Currently, preparations are being conducted for the influx of passengers in some ports.

In Ports of Dumagueta and Guihulngan, signages are now being installed to facilitate the movement of passengers while in Port of Masbate, tents are also being prepared and repainting of some of the facilities are being done.

In Port of Surigao, fast lanes for senior citizens, persons with disability and pregnant women are being prepared.

In Port of Zamboanga, ambulances and K-9 units from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) were already placed on standby while in Port of Lucena, tents were also prepared for the passengers

In Port of Matnog, Santiago said he already instructed the local port officials to ensure that a traffic management system is in place in order to ensure the good flow of traffic heading to and from the port.

Last year, almost 1.9 million passengers trooped to various ports of the country— the busiest ports were Ports of Panay/Guimaras – Iloilo, Batangas, Panay/Guimaras – Jordan, Mindoro, and Panay Guimaras-Dumangas.