Camille Naredo

Passengers at PPA Batangas on December 21, 2025. Dennis Datu, ABS-CBN News

Passengers at PPA Batangas on December 21, 2025.

Article (news)

HOLIDAYS 2025

Dennis Datu

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1766333721279viber_image_2025-12-21_23-42-56-798.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Passengers at PPA Batangas on December 21, 2025. Dennis Datu, ABS-CBN News" width="960"/>Passengers at PPA Batangas on December 21, 2025. Dennis Datu, ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA -- Long lines of vehicles have formed leading to Batangas Port on Sunday as travelers head back to their home provinces for the Christmas season. However, as travel conditions worsen, so-called fixers have emerged, offering services that allegedly allow faster entry of vehicles into the port.According to several drivers, many had already been queuing along the access road since the early morning, yet by afternoon they were still unable to enter Batangas Port. They said men identifying themselves as fixers approached them, promising immediate access to the port in exchange for ₱2,000. Al-John Buen, who was traveling home to Abra de Ilog in Occidental Mindoro, said he had been in line since around 5:00 a.m. and was among those offered the service, but he refused.<div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/weather-traffic/2025/12/20/nlex-travelers-brace-for-slow-moving-traffic-amid-christmas-exodus-1833">NLEX travelers brace for slow-moving traffic amid Christmas exodus</a></div>“Muntik na po pero mas okay na mag-antay na lang sa pila keysa mag fixer,” Buen said. Ryan Vergara, who was heading to Bacolod City with his wife aboard a van, said he had been queuing since 4:00 a.m. and heard fixers making similar offers to nearby motorists.“Marami ho dito na fixer, pero syempre mas maganda nasunod na lang sa pila,” Vergara said.“Yung mga kotse lang po ang inaalok nila,” he added.Nikki Balmes, who was bound for San Jose, Occidental Mindoro after purchasing vegetables in Divisoria, said the fixers appeared to be coordinating by phone with accomplices who would escort vehicles that agreed to the offer.“Sasamahan daw po sa loob tatawagan, magkausap kayo sa telepono susundan ninyo sila, naka-convoy, naka-motor. Makakapasok kayo sa loob, tapos kayo na raw bahala kumuha ng ticket sa loob, marami sila mga naka-single na motor,” Balmes said.He declined the offer, citing the lack of assurance that entering the port sooner would guarantee a spot on a ferry. <div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/weather-traffic/2025/12/15/mmda-malls-coordinate-to-ease-carmageddon-as-christmas-rush-peaks-2038">MMDA, malls coordinate to ease &#x27;carmageddon&#x27; as Christmas rush peaks</a></div>The management of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA)–Batangas warned motorists against transacting with fixers.“Ginawa ng ating port police, laging may nakadeploy doon na guwardiya sa access road at may mga recording na tayo na huwag na huwag makipag transaksyon sa mga fixer,” said Aurora Mendoza, port manager of PPA Batangas. Mendoza said the PPA Batangas is already addressing complaints against fixers.Meanwhile, buying ferry tickets inside the Batangas Port passenger terminal has become increasingly difficult after a surge of passengers on Sunday. From morning until night, long and congested lines were seen at ticketing booths. Many passengers who lined up early in the day were still unable to reach the booths by afternoon.<div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/weather-traffic/2025/12/4/metro-manila-council-rolls-out-holiday-traffic-measures-0025">Metro Manila Council rolls out holiday traffic measures</a></div>“Ang gulo. Wala sa ayos, wala pa kain, wala pa tulog,” said passenger Frexan Plasico, who was traveling to Iloilo.Jazz Cordero, who was bound for Oriental Mindoro, said the situation sometimes discourages him from traveling home for Christmas.“Minsan nga parang ayaw ko ng umuwi ng Pasko. gawa ng ganito lagi kahaba eh. Kaso lang wala kami magagawa. Ang pamilya namin andoon sa probinsya, eh nauuna daw po ang online keysa walk in,” Cordero said.Ferry trips of Montenegro Shipping Lines bound for Odiongan, Romblon, are already fully booked.Josh De Juan said that despite lining up in the morning, he was cut off around 4:00 p.m. and was unable to board the 5:00 p.m. trip. He was instead issued a ticket for Monday “So bale yung ticket namin bukas pa daw, stranded kami ngayon. Maghihintay po eh sumisingit yung iba dito eh. Wala kami magagawa,” De Juan said, who was traveling with his brother.According to port management, the number of passengers has doubled, possibly due to the long holiday break.<div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/21/passengers-surge-at-pitx-amid-holiday-exodus-2001">Passengers surge at PITX amid holiday exodus</a></div>“Ngayon mas dumami, maybe because nag-declare na rin ng holiday yun 29 at January 2, siguro ini-leave na yung 22, 23, at 26,“ Mendoza said.“Kapag kasi wala pa yung barko at hindi pa nakaalis yung andito sa port hindi muna sila nag-iisyu ng ticket si shipping lines,” she added.Due to overcrowding inside the passenger terminal, many travelers have chosen to remain in line and sit on the floor while waiting for ticket sales to resume. Batangas Port management expects the influx of passengers to continue until Christmas Eve as travelers head home to their provinces.<div>  </div>

Long lines of vehicles have formed leading to Batangas Port on Sunday as travelers head back to their home provinces for the Christmas season.

Long lines of vehicles have formed leading to Batangas Port on Sunday as travelers head back to their home provinces for the Christmas season.

PPA Batangas warns vs fixers offering quick entry to port for P2,000

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PPA Batangas warns vs fixers offering quick entry to port for P2,000

Dennis Datu,

ABS-CBN News

Published December 22, 2025 12:27 AM PHT

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Batangas Port

Fixers

Christmas Exodus

PPA

travellers

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