The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has recorded 6.2 million passengers during the Yuletide break, which it described as a record-breaking volume of passenger traffic during the Christmas and New Year holiday peak.

The estimated passengers from Dec. 15 to Jan. 5 was 4.6 million in various ports across the country but the computation of the records based on the reports from various PPA-managed ports disclosed a total of 6,281,052 passengers.

PPA General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago attributed the passenger surge to various factors that include 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 Dec. 29 and Jan. 2 as additional non-working days. This enabled more Filipinos to plan longer trips and return to their home provinces.

Based on the PPA data, 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.

“A number of our kababayan took advantage of the extended break to celebrate Christmas and New Year with families and friends,” said Santiago.

And for Santiago, this does not only reflect the trust and confidence of more Filipinos to use ports, but also the strong proof that the PPA is now reaping the benefits of the rehabilitation and improvements of ports, including the passenger terminal buildings.

Before the Christmas travel rush, Santiago ordered the cancellation of all leaves of PPA employees assigned to frontline duties.

More than 3,000 PPA security personnel were also deployed while coordination was made with the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine National Police (PNP) for augmentation forces, particularly the areas leading to and from the ports.

Port authorities also intensified security screening and enforcement of safety regulations.

“The historic passenger volume underscores the vital role of Philippine ports in connecting communities nationwide. This marks a new benchmark for holiday sea travel and setting the stage for further improvements in port operations and public service,” said Santiago.