30 million expected to join Holy Week exodus
THE Department of Tourism (DOT) is expecting over 30 million travelers will be visiting popular spots across the country during the Holy Week break. Based on last year's DOT records, the popular Holy Week destinations include Cebu, Bohol, Boracay, Palawan, Siargao, Baguio, Batangas, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur, Pampanga, Pangasinan and Puerto Galera. Emerging destinations like Camiguin, Siquijor and Cagayan de Oro City, as well as Mindanao areas like Davao and Sarangani, are also attracting more visitors. In Manila, Intramuros is expected to draw 2.4 million visitors, up from 2.2 million in 2023, as tourists flock to its historic sites and participate in traditional Lenten activities like the Visita Iglesia. Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said on Friday she has activated the DOT's regional operations centers to manage the influx of tourists. Also on Friday, officials of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) made a surprise inspection of major bus terminals along EDSA in Cubao, Quezon City, in preparation for the Holy Week exodus. MMDA Chairman Don Artes visited the Five Star and Baliwag Transit terminals to ensure smooth terminal operations and assess the readiness of MMDA personnel to manage traffic and assist commuters. There was a random drug testing of bus drivers and conductors. "Our primary concern is the safety of the public. We are making sure that drivers are fit for duty, terminals are orderly and commuters are properly guided as they travel to their destinations," said Artes. Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) said it expects a 10-percent increase in vehicle traffic in its expressways during the Holy Week. Jose Ma. Lim, MPTC president and chief executive, said the tollways operator has developed a multifaceted strategy centered on providing a range of enhanced assistance services, increasing toll plaza efficiency through RFID awareness campaigns and promoting responsible road safety practices. MPTC will also deploy over 2,000 personnel at its expressways from April 8 to optimize traffic flow and respond to incidents. MPTC operates the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx), NLEx Connector Road, Manila-Cavite Expressway, Cavite-Laguna Expressway and Cebu-Cordova Expressway. The New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), which operates the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), also expects larger crowds, longer lines at check-in and security, and possible delays due to the high volume of travelers at the airport during Holy Week, and has activated measures to maintain safety, security and reliable terminal operations. From April 13 to 20, more than 1.18 million passengers are expected to go through NAIA, a 14.23-percent increase from last year's 1.04 million. Flight movements are also projected to rise, from 6,537 in 2024 to 6,724 this year.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
THE Department of Tourism (DOT) is expecting over 30 million travelers will be visiting popular spots across the country during the Holy Week break.
Based on last year's DOT records, the popular Holy Week destinations include Cebu, Bohol, Boracay, Palawan, Siargao, Baguio, Batangas, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur, Pampanga, Pangasinan and Puerto Galera.
Emerging destinations like Camiguin, Siquijor and Cagayan de Oro City, as well as Mindanao areas like Davao and Sarangani, are also attracting more visitors.
In Manila, Intramuros is expected to draw 2.4 million visitors, up from 2.2 million in 2023, as tourists flock to its historic sites and participate in traditional Lenten activities like the Visita Iglesia.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said on Friday she has activated the DOT's regional operations centers to manage the influx of tourists.
Also on Friday, officials of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) made a surprise inspection of major bus terminals along EDSA in Cubao, Quezon City, in preparation for the Holy Week exodus.
MMDA Chairman Don Artes visited the Five Star and Baliwag Transit terminals to ensure smooth terminal operations and assess the readiness of MMDA personnel to manage traffic and assist commuters.
There was a random drug testing of bus drivers and conductors.
"Our primary concern is the safety of the public. We are making sure that drivers are fit for duty, terminals are orderly and commuters are properly guided as they travel to their destinations," said Artes.
Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) said it expects a 10-percent increase in vehicle traffic in its expressways during the Holy Week.
Jose Ma. Lim, MPTC president and chief executive, said the tollways operator has developed a multifaceted strategy centered on providing a range of enhanced assistance services, increasing toll plaza efficiency through RFID awareness campaigns and promoting responsible road safety practices.
MPTC will also deploy over 2,000 personnel at its expressways from April 8 to optimize traffic flow and respond to incidents.
MPTC operates the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx), NLEx Connector Road, Manila-Cavite Expressway, Cavite-Laguna Expressway and Cebu-Cordova Expressway.
The New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), which operates the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), also expects larger crowds, longer lines at check-in and security, and possible delays due to the high volume of travelers at the airport during Holy Week, and has activated measures to maintain safety, security and reliable terminal operations.
From April 13 to 20, more than 1.18 million passengers are expected to go through NAIA, a 14.23-percent increase from last year's 1.04 million.
Flight movements are also projected to rise, from 6,537 in 2024 to 6,724 this year.
