The number of passengers at the bus terminal in Barangay Camalig, Jaro, Iloilo City on Tuesday, December 23, 2025 increased evidently compared to the previous days. 

Buses are observed to leave at once as the units are filled immediately with passengers.

Personnel of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) go on a roving, inspecting each of the buses.

A help desk of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board is mounted outside of the terminal.

Sufficient bus units proportionate to the number of expected passengers are assured. 

Andy Torrecampo, a passenger, is bound for Boracay Island for a vacation with his grandchild. He is confident that the bus he is boarding on is roadworthy.

"Nagba-bonding-bonding sa pamilya niya, island-hopping, pasyal-pasyal,” Torrecampo said.

The bus company has assured enough bus units and is ready to add more as the need arises.

At the Dumangas Port, an influx of passengers is apparent.

Sea vessels from Bacolod City are packed with passengers bound for home in Panay Island for the holidays. One of them is Maria Besana bound for New Washington, Aklan.

“Vacation, Christmas at New Year sa family ng father ko,” Besana said.

Police in Western Visayas are on heightened alert to ensure safety at terminals and other public places.

“Ang mga kapulisan natin sa areas na ito, nandiyan para mag-assist in case na may kailangan ang ating mga commuter sa kanilang pagbiyahe,” said Major Lailyn Sencil, PRO 6 spokesperson.

Passengers swarmed the Bacolod South Bus Terminal on December 23. One of travelers who caught up with trip schedules is an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) from Middle East, Sheila Gerongani.

It has been 28 years, she said, that she has not come home to Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.

“Syempre excited kasi as an OFW, last week lang ako dumating. Can't explain. Happy kasi kapag nasa labas ka, ang Christmas parang wala lang. Dito, more on family bonding, reunion,” Gerongani said.

From Cebu, Maricel Roquero is excited to celebrate Christmas with her family in Bago City.

“May pasalubong, chicharon from Carcar. Excited at syempre happy,” Roquero said.

The Philippine Coast Guard has tightened security at ports in Negros Occidental, especially at Bredco Port.

“Ngayong araw, nasa 6,500 na tayo ng mga inbound at outbound nating mga pasahero.Hinihigpitan natin ang pag-conduct ng pre-departure inspection,” according to LtJG John Hoffer Olis, public information officer of Coast Guard Station Northern Negros Occidental.