The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) logged a record-breaking volume of passenger traffic during the Christmas and New Year holiday peak, recording 6,281,052 passengers nationwide from December 15, 2025 to January 5, 2026, the highest since the agency’s establishment in 1974 and a new milestone in domestic sea travel demand.
In comparison, PPA recorded 4.7 million passengers in 2024 and 4.4 million passengers in 2023 during the same period. This year’s surge was attributed to several factors, including extended school and corporate breaks that allowed longer travel opportunities for students and employees, particularly during long weekends.
Passenger traffic was further boosted by Malacañang’s Memorandum Circular No. 111, s. 2025, which declared December 29, 2025 and January 2, 2026 as additional non-working days, enabling more Filipinos to plan longer trips and return to their home provinces.
“Initially po ang estimate natin ay 4.6 million passengers, pero dahil mas mahaba ang bakasyon, marami sa mga kababayan natin ang sinamantala ang pag-uwi sa probinsya. Magandang senyales po ito dahil ibig sabihin mas maraming Pilipino ang gumagamit ng ating mga pantalan at may tiwala sa serbisyo ng ating mga kawani at sa mga bago nating pasilidad,” said PPA General Manager Jay Santiago, noting the generally peaceful conduct of the peak season.
To ensure safe and orderly sea travel amid the surge, port authorities intensified security screening and enforcement of port safety regulations. Several prohibited items were confiscated during the period.
“Karamihan pa rin po sa ating mga nakumpiska ay mga bladed items gaya ng gunting, card knife, Swiss knife, bolo, at pako. Mayroon din pong mga flammable items gaya ng lighter, posporo, butane, at gasul,” GM Santiago added.
The highest passenger volume was recorded at Port Management Office (PMO) Panay/Guimaras, followed by PMO Batangas, PMO Mindoro, PMO Bohol, and PMO Negros Oriental/Siquijor.
“Patuloy po naming sisikapin na mapanatili ang ligtas, maayos, at episyenteng operasyon ng ating mga pantalan upang mas mapagsilbihan pa ang mas maraming Pilipino, lalo na sa panahong pinakakailangan tayo. All year long po ang aming paghahanda para sa mga susunod na peak travel seasons, kabilang na ang paparating na Holy Week 2026,” GM Santiago concluded.
The historic passenger volume underscores the vital role of Philippine ports in connecting communities nationwide, marking a new benchmark for holiday sea travel and setting the stage for further improvements in port operations and public service.
