PPA reinforces the role of ORAS in reducing waiting time and providing a more efficient sea travel experience during Undas 2026.
05 NOVEMBER 2026 — Despite recording a lower number of passengers during this year's Oplan Undas, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) announced that it maintained smooth and orderly port operations, with passengers citing the convenience of the Online Reservation Assistance System (ORAS) in making their travel experience faster and more manageable.
Through ORAS, passengers were able to reserve their trips online before arriving at the port, reducing the need to line up at ticketing counters and allowing them to proceed with the necessary port processes more efficiently.
Loreen Abique, a passenger from Batangas Port shared her positive experience with the system. "Mabilis magproseso sa ORAS. Pagdating naman dito [sa pantalan], nake-cater naman nang maayos at mabilis 'yung process," Abique said.
She also highlighted how ORAS saved her from having to fall in line just to book her trip, making the process less time-consuming and more convenient
PPA General Manager Jay Santiago emphasized that ORAS remains an important tool in improving passenger convenience and managing port operations, regardless of passenger volume.
"Kahit marami o kakaunti ang pasahero nitong Undas compared to last year, pareho pa rin ang ating kahandaan sa pagbibigay ng maayos na serbisyo sa ating mga kababayan. Ang goal po ay na-achieve naman natin, naiwasan ang paghihintay at ang dating napakahabang pila ng mga pasahero sa pantalan tuwing peak season. With ORAS, maagang nakapag-reserve ng ticket ang mga pasahero prior to their trips. Nakita kasi natin ang effectivity ng ORAS nitong Semana Santa and were hoping na mag-tuloy tuloy na maging maayos ang bawat byahe ng mga pasahero lalo't may inaasahan tayong long weekend," GM Santiago said.
For Oplan Undas 2026, ORAS reservations covered October 28 to November 3, 2026, across designated routes serving four participating ports: Balanacan, Batangas, Calapan, and Lucena. These included the Balanacan-Lucena route; Batangas routes to Abra de llog, Calapan, Caticlan, Coron, El Nido, Odiongan, Puerto Galera, Romblon, Sibuyan, and Roxas City in Capiz; the Calapan-Batangas route; and Lucena routes to Balanacan, Masbate, and Romblon.
PPA continues to strengthen its digital services and improve passenger assistance at ports to provide a more convenient, efficient, and orderly travel experience. The agency remains committed to enhancing systems such as ORAS to help passengers plan their trips ahead of time.
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