PCG logs over 125K port passengers as holiday travel picks up
Published Dec 21, 2025 01:35 pm
Passengers disembark from a ship while Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel are on standby to assist them at a port in Catanduanes on Dec. 20, 2025 as the holiday travel begins to surge. (Photo: PCG)
Coast Guard District Bicol
More than 125,000 passengers passed through seaports nationwide by midday on Sunday, Dec. 21, as the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) continued to manage the steady rise in holiday travel under Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Pasko 2025.
From 6 a.m. to 12 noon, the PCG recorded 65,500 outbound passengers and 59,909 inbound passengers across all ports in the country as families head to the provinces or return to urban centers for the holidays.
To keep sea travel safe and orderly, PCG personnel from 16 districts inspected 540 vessels and 764 motorbancas during the same period.
PCG spokesperson Captain Noemie Cayabyab said Batangas Port remains the busiest, while ports in Aklan and Iloilo also logged high volumes of inbound and outbound passengers.
Cayabyab said no port disruptions have been reported so far but passenger numbers are expected to increase in the coming days.
“Last year, we were able to cater to nearly five million inbound and outbound passengers. If the weather continues to be favorable and there are no weather disturbances, the number could reach five million again or possibly even higher,” she said.
All PCG districts, stations, and sub-stations have been placed on heightened alert from Dec. 20 until Jan. 4 to cover the peak travel period.
Continuous vessel safety inspections are being enforced and Cayabyab said that all ships and motorboats are required to pass inspection before departure to ensure they are seaworthy and passengers are properly listed in the vessel manifest.
Beyond port operations, PCG personnel have also been deployed to coastal communities and island resorts where an influx of holiday visitors has been observed.
“We have observed an influx of people visiting island resorts with their families. In response, we have deployed rescue swimmers and lifeguards, and they are conducting regular foot patrols and coastal patrols,” Cayabyab noted.
Do’s and don’ts
The PCG reminded passengers that all individuals and baggage are subject to strict security screening, including K9 inspections.
Travelers were advised not to bring sharp objects, flammable materials, or explosives to avoid delays, and to purchase tickets early and arrive at ports ahead of their scheduled departure.
Passengers boarding motorboats and bancas were also urged to follow local PCG directives, particularly the mandatory wearing of life jackets from departure until arrival.