THE PHILIPPINE Ports Authority (PPA) Davao catered to 3,217,985 disembarked and embarked passengers traveling from Davao to other destinations in the country for the year 2023, representing a 5% increase (3,064,437) from 2022.
During the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas on June 4, PPA Port Management Office Davao manager Analee Aguila said the increase could be attributed to their ongoing programs and campaigns in 2023 to advocate traveling via new and improved seaports nationwide.
“We are modernizing our ports and terminal buildings. 24/7 ang operation ng ports all over the Philippines. We are addressing the need for a more modern system in the sea,” Aguila said.
Aguila noted the increase did not include the recently launched voyage of the 2GO vessel which started its operational sailing last March 2024.
“For our 2GO vessel, the total disembarked passengers of 2,711 and embarked passengers 1,575, with a total ship call already nine, just until the present,” she said.
She said this has been a great improvement for the sea transport sector as the vessel only started with less than a hundred, direct from Manila to Davao, Davao to Gensan, to Iloilo, and then to Manila.
“Yesterday, ang pasahero natin leaving Davao is 310 so marami na iyon kasi we started only for less than 100. Maganda ang foot traffic,” she added.
The 2GO Maligaya Vessel, with its larger rooms and more expansive communal areas, can house up to 800 guests.
In the same way, Aguila shared that the completion of the construction of the Samal Island – Davao City bridge will soon benefit Samal island goers, as their sea ports at times experienced congestion during weekends due to the influx of passengers going to the island.
“We are also looking forward for the bridge. Kasi kung may bridge na, maluwag na talaga ang lahat,” she said.
PPA recorded 73,613, 008 passengers in its 25 port management offices nationwide and ranked fourth among government-owned or controlled corporations with high dividend contributions to the government.
