DoTr told to tighten security ahead of Holy Week

PHILIPPINE President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Tuesday ordered the Department of Transportation (DoTr) and its attached agencies to carry out strict inspection of terminals, ports, and airports to cut delays in travel during the Holy Week break next week, according to the presidential palace.

“The President has ordered not only the DoTr but also its attached agencies to ensure the safety and convenience of all passengers traveling to their hometowns or going on vacations,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Clarissa A. Castro told a news briefing.

“There will also be strict inspections at terminals, ports, and airports to prevent delays in operations before Holy Week, as there may be more delays due to increased travel. The President is closely monitoring this through the concerned agencies.”

The President also ordered law enforcement agencies to tighten watch on crime during the holiday break, she added.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said in a statement on April 3 that more than 40,000 cops will be deployed nationwide to maintain peace and order during Holy Week from April 13 to 20.

Police regional offices were also ordered to conduct regular inspections and to boost police presence in crowded places such as terminals, ports and transport hubs, the PNP said.

“Even during Holy Week or when most people are on vacation,” the palace official said. “The government should not take a break. Monitoring and assistance to our fellow Filipinos should continue.”

In a separate statement on Tuesday, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said it is expecting to see increased passenger volume at the country’s seaports to 1.73 million for the Holy Week.

The PPA said its projected passenger volume for April 14-20 is 3.5% higher to 1.73 million from the 1.67 million passengers logged in the same period last year.

The port regulator said that for the first three weeks of March, it had already logged a passenger count of 3.03 million or an average of 1.01 million passengers per week.

For the Holy Week, PPA said it anticipated to reach near pre-pandemic numbers with an estimated 1.73 million travelers.

“We are prepared for the increased number of passengers this Holy Week 2025, especially as the Lenten Season coincides with summer, most of our local travelers are really taking advantage of this long days of day-off and for some tourists it is also a great time to explore our islands via sea travel”, PPA General Manager Jay Daniel R. Santiago said in a statement.

“PPA anticipates a substantial increase in passenger volume this year, compared to the same period last year, as more Filipinos take advantage of sea travel to visit their provinces, pilgrimage sites, and vacation destinations.”

PPA said the DoTr is preparing for the expected surge with the deployment of additional personnel.  For this year, PPA has set its 2025 passenger volume target at 85.41 million, exceeding by 9.5% the target set in 2024. — John Victor D. Ordoñez and Ashley Erika O. Jose