Malacañang called on the public yesterday to begin traveling early to their hometowns ahead of Holy Week, as government agencies ramp up efforts to ensure the safety and convenience of travelers.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and its attached agencies have been directed to closely monitor transport hubs and implement safety measures during the annual exodus to the provinces.
“The President has given orders not only to the DOTr but to all concerned agencies to ensure the safety and convenience of passengers who will be traveling to their hometowns or going on vacation,” Castro said in a press briefing.
She said strict inspections are already underway in major terminals, seaports, and airports to avoid delays ahead of the expected surge in travelers.
“These inspections are part of the President’s directive to monitor operations closely, especially during the Holy Week rush when the risk of congestion and delays increases,” Castro added.
When asked about security measures, Castro said law enforcement agencies have also been instructed to maintain round-the-clock operations throughout the holiday period.
“The President’s instruction is clear: the government should not be on vacation even if the rest of the country is. Monitoring and assistance efforts must continue without pause,” she said.
This year, Holy Week will be observed from April 13 to April 20, starting with Palm Sunday and culminating on Easter Sunday. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, April 17 and 18 respectively, are regular holidays, while Black Saturday on April 19 is a special non-working day.
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is expecting the number of port passengers for this year’s Holy Week to reach over 1.73 million from April 14 to 20.
In a statement yesterday, PPA General Manager Jay Santiago said the expected total this year is a 3.5 percent increase from the 1.67 million passengers during the same period last year.
“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,” he said.
To accommodate the increased number of passengers, Santiago ordered the deployment of additional personnel and enhanced terminal operations in key ports.
“Measures include optimizing passenger terminal facilities, ensuring the functionality of security and safety equipment, and deploying port police for crowd control and assistance,” he said.
In addition, the PPA has conducted maintenance checks on critical infrastructure in preparation for the expected surge in travelers.
Meanwhile, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, directed all Coast Guard units to ensure necessary preparations and implement operations towards a generally safe and peaceful conduct of Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Semana Santa 2025.
As per the directive of the President, Gavan said the PCG shall work with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Maritime Sector to ensure zero maritime casualty during the annual Lenten season.
He said all PCG Districts, Stations, and Sub-Stations will be placed on heightened alert status from April 13 to 20, 2025, to efficiently manage the influx of port passengers who will return to their home provinces to commemorate the religious event with their families and loved ones.
According to the PCG Command Center, they monitored 1.65 million port passengers during Semana Santa 2024, which was 10% higher than the 2023 record of 1.50 million commuters at ports and waterways across the country.
“This influx presents challenges, such as overcrowding, vessel overloading, and heightened risks of maritime-related crimes,” the Coast Guard Commandant said.
“On the other hand, maritime crimes, such as robbery incidents, are still a prevalent threat considering the influx of passengers across ports, which have been reported in major ports such as Manila, Cebu, Davao, and Zamboanga during recent years’ Holy Week. Thus, necessitating heightened security in busy ports and anchorages,” he added.
Coast Guard personnel will perform 24/7 monitoring of nautical highways on western and eastern seaboards, including inter-island routes.
PCG K9 units and security teams will also implement thorough port terminal and vessel inspections while Coast Guard rescuers will assist lifeguards in maritime tourist destinations.
Gavan also said PCG responders will ensure an active presence through regular coastal patrols within their respective maritime jurisdictions and PCG seaborne patrol units are also preparing for possible search and rescue (SAR) missions.
The PCG will work with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), and local government units (LGUs) in implementing interagency operations for the safety of lives and properties amid Semana Santa 2025.