THE Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) will deploy its Online Reservation Assistance System (ORAS) in select high-density gateways to manage an expected 1.93 million All Saint's Day and All Souls' Day travelers from Oct. 27 to Nov. 5, a 1.55 percent increase from last year’s 1.905 million.
Set to launch on Oct. 24 exclusively at key hubs, including Lucena, Balanacan, Calapan and Batangas, the digital platform replaces physical ticket lines with online slot management.
PPA Assistant General Manager for Operations Mark Jon Palomar said that booked passengers must validate digital passes at terminal counters two hours before departure, down from three hours based on feedback.
"When you book through online, you have a slot and get it. We want to give assurance and ensure the customer experience is way, way better," Palomar said, adding that forfeited slots are automatically released to waitlisted travelers.
Addressing server downtime concerns, officials confirmed IT infrastructure reinforcements to handle heavy concurrent access.
"We can assure that the system is realistic, and we will ensure it will be up and running without crashing, even with the expected influx of passengers," Palomar said.
To assist non-digital travelers, the PPA will set up terminal help desks to guide walk-ins, process inquiries and reallocate forfeited slots.
Meanwhile, port security will deploy X-ray baggage scanners and walkthrough metal detectors to maintain safety without creating bottlenecks at entry points.
PPA General Manager Jay Santiago said that while overall traffic is rising, fluctuating fuel prices and inflation could affect final turnout.
"We expect passenger numbers to increase further because this only happens once a year, and we are prepared for that," Santiago said.
For domestic shipowners, aligning terminal verification speeds with vessel turnaround times will be crucial to avoiding sailing delays at high-volume hubs like Iloilo River Wharf (171,077 projected travelers) and Batangas Port (108,766 travelers).
The PPA advised commuters to book early, check advisories, and confirm departure schedules directly with the shipping lines.