MANILA – The holiday season saw a significant increase in travel, with nearly 190,000 passengers moving through Philippine airports on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, according to the Bureau of Immigration (BI). Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado reported that a total of 186,193 travelers were processed during these peak days. On Christmas Eve, the BI noted 52,437 arrivals and 41,895 departures, while Christmas Day saw 47,669 arrivals and 44,192 departures, reflecting the high volume of holiday travel. Viado praised the dedication of BI staff, who worked tirelessly to manage the increased traffic efficiently. He also anticipated a further rise in passenger numbers post-New Year. The BI advised travelers to arrive early and complete all necessary pre-flight formalities to facilitate smoother processing during the busy period. In a related development, BI personnel at Clark International Airport thwarted a human trafficking attempt on Christmas morning, intercepting a trafficker and four victims en route to Singapore. The victims, all in their 20s, were initially traveling under the guise of tourism but later admitted they were headed to Cambodia to work illegally for a POGO-like company. They were promised a salary of PHP60,000. The BI also reported multiple other interceptions this month, including cases involving recruitment for scams and illegal work in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar. All victims and facilitators have been handed over to the Inter-Agency Council against Trafficking for further action.
Massive Surge in Holiday Travel: Nearly 190,000 Passengers at Philippine Airports
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