By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Moving ahead of the passengers expected to crowd ports as they embark on trips this All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day season, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) relaunches its web portal to help travelers plan their trips in advance and avoid long queues at ticket counters in select ports.
Online Reservation Assistance System (ORAS) will be available starting October 24, enabling passengers to reserve trips from October 28-November 3 in the ports of Lucena, Balanacan, Calapan, and Batangas.
The three steps in using ORAS were as follows:
- Scan the QR code or go to http://oras.ppa.com.ph to access the ORAS reservation system.
- Select your port, trip schedule, and travel details.
- Confirm your reservation and save your ORAS Pass. Present it at the port for validation.
According to PPA, while availing ORAS Pass is free, it does not serve as a substitute for tickets needed to board a vessel.
Passengers with ORAS Pass are also encouraged to arrive two hours before their scheduled departure time to account for validations and other pre-departure checks.
PPA General Manager Jay Santiago said in a statement, “We anticipate a surge in passengers, as this is an annual occurrence, and we are prepared for it. However, we are also taking into account factors such as the high cost of commodities and fuel, which could potentially lead to a decrease in passenger numbers this Undas. Regardless, the PPA is ready to handle either a lower or higher volume of passengers.”
A total of 1,934,604 passengers are expected to pass through ports from October 27 to November 5, 2026, representing a passenger volume 1.55% higher than 1,905,063 recorded in the same period in 2025.
Moreover, the top five ports that are expected to experience the highest passenger traffic were the Ilo-ilo River Wharf, Babak Port, Batangas Port, Jordan Port, and Sassa Port.
To avoid inconvenience, the PPA encouraged travelers to plan trips early, consult with official port advisories, and keep in touch with their shipping line for the latest updates on the vessel schedule.
ORAS was first implemented from March 30 to April 8, 2026, during the Holy Week period; according to the Passenger Statistics Report (PSR), 44.6% of passengers underwent verification through the ORAS platform during that time. (with report from Angelika Abrogar | PTV News)
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