PCG records 3.8M passengers in ports
Up to 5M passengers expected amid New Year travel surge
Published Dec 29, 2025 01:57 pm
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel assist passengers disembarking from BRP Bagacay (MRRV-4410) at the port in San Agustin, Romblon on Dec. 24, 2025. The PCG deployed its own vessel to ferry 89 stranded passengers from the Lucena Port in Quezon province so they could go to their home provinces in time for Christmas. (Photo: PCG)
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) recorded 3.8 million inbound and outbound passengers in ports nationwide as of Monday, Dec. 29, as holiday travel continued to surge days before the New Year’s Day celebration.
PCG spokesperson Captain Noemie Cayabyab said the figure reflects passenger traffic monitored since the start of Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Pasko 2025 on Dec. 20.
“As we speak, we were able to monitor a total of 3.8 million inbound and outbound passengers,” Cayabyab said.
The figure is expected to further increase as the PCG monitored 81,010 outbound passengers and 63,025 inbound passengers in various ports across the country from 6 a.m. to 12 noon on Monday.
A total of 194 vessels and 118 motorbancas were also inspected during the same period.
Passenger volume dipped only on Dec. 24 and 25 but Cayabyab said the brief slowdown was followed by a steady influx of travelers returning to the provinces or heading back to work.
With New Year celebration approaching, the PCG said total passenger volume may reach up to five million, a figure close to last year’s holiday turnout.
“Nakikita natin halos similar last year, papalo po tayo hanggang five million. Ang monitoring naman po natin ay magtatapos hanggang January 4, 2026 dahil inaaasahan pa rin natin ang pagdagsa ng ating mga kababayan sa pantalan sa paguwi after ng New Year (We are seeing figures almost similar to last year. Passenger volume may reach up to five million. Monitoring operations will continue until January 4, 2026 because we are still expecting a surge of travelers returning home after the New Year),” Cayabyab said.
No stranded passengers have been reported as of the latest update, according to Cayabyab. The last recorded case was in Lucena City on Dec. 24 where the PCG deployed its own vessels to ferry stranded passengers.
Cayabyab said the PCG is ready to activate its “libreng sakay” program if commercial vessels become insufficient for the New Year exodus, in adherence to the order of PCG Commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan.
She noted that daily coordination continues with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to ensure commercial vessels remain adequate to serve passengers.
Shipping schedules remain relaxed and vessels are allowed to depart once they reach authorized capacity.
“Ngayon ay nakarelax ang shipping schedules. Ibig sabihin, once mapuno ang barko at motorboat at tama po sa kapasidad niya, automatic aalis po ‘yan ng pantalan natin. Ito ang nagiging flow ng mga byahe (Shipping schedules are currently relaxed. This means that once a vessel or motorboat reaches its authorized capacity, it is allowed to depart immediately from the port. This is how trips are being managed at present),” Cayabyab said.
She said any delays are usually due to internal concerns of shipping companies. Cayabyab said the current setup helps ease congestion at ports.
Meanwhile, security and safety measures for the New Year will follow the same protocols used during Christmas, Cayabyab said.
“The same safety and security measures will remain in place. We are also further intensifying monitoring at ports and nearby coastal beaches because we continue to see a steady influx of travelers,” she added.
Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Cebu, and Iloilo were among the busiest areas and the PCG assured the public that additional personnel remain deployed in these locations to manage passenger traffic.