The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is pushing ahead with its digitalization plans this year to ensure smoother port operations, especially as more Filipinos turn to sea travel during peak holidays.

To help manage the growing passenger volume, the PPA confirmed on Monday that it is preparing to launch the Electronic Terminal Management System (ETMS) to automate port transactions by the end of the year.

"Within the next few months or this year, we will roll that out. If we have e-ticketing, we can finally reduce lines at the ports,” Transportation Secretary Vivencio Dizon said.

Based on the latest PPA data, Holy Week passenger traffic clocked in at over 2.29 million—a 37.14 percent jump from last year’s numbers amid the growing appeal of maritime travel.

The PPA said a total of 2,291,666 travelers passed through PPA-managed ports from April 12 to 20, up from 1,670,984 during the same period in 2024.

PPA General Manager Jay Santiago attributed the surge to the convergence of the Lenten break with summer vacation, alongside intensified efforts to promote domestic tourism.

"On our part at the PPA, we have our #PPAsyalTayo campaign, which showcases tourist destinations that are accessible through our ports—places travelers can sail to and pass through our ports to reach destinations that are not normally visited," Santiago said.

"We all know that while some of our fellow Filipinos are on holiday, our frontliners at the ports are on duty to better serve those returning home. So we salute everyone—from our port workers to our partners in the maritime industry,” he added.

Among the busiest ports during the period were PMO Batangas, PMO Panay/Guimaras, PMO Mindoro, PMO Negros Oriental/Siquijor, and PMO Bohol, especially on Holy Wednesday and Holy Thursday.