Transparency — the gift we all deserve this Christmas

Hello folks, and hello December! 

I know... it’s been pretty fast, we’re already ending the year a few weeks from now. The thing is, it is also the time of huge expenses ramping up pretty fast since it is the season of Christmas parties and gift-giving for most people. Hence, every peso spent is every bead of sweat endured throughout each day. For this reason, every Filipino is demanding one thing: Transparency. 

From local communities questioning where budgets go, to citizens pushing their government to open the books, people everywhere wanting clarity in procurement issues and local governance, we’ve seen how deeply people value honesty and accountability. 

It’s no longer enough for agencies to simply say they’re doing well, they need to show it. 

Just last Sunday another protest was staged at the Luneta. I hope we do not normalize corruption for it is the thing that will eat us all alive for we are all in the same boat, big or small. 

Filipinos expect clarity. We expect public institutions to tell us not just that things are working, but how and why. 

Speaking of which, here’s the latest transparent update from the Philippine Ports Authority: the year-end numbers are solid. Thanks to PPA general manager Jay Santiago, operations are running steadily across all ports. But beyond the figures, the more important story is how transparency and efficiency must go hand in hand, because that’s what people expect, not just here, but everywhere.

Around the world, transparency models in port and transport management are becoming the norm. If you have been across the world, you will see how digital and transparent they are. Take, for example, Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority which has invested heavily in digital platforms that show timelines, processing updates, and port movements. 

Now, back home, the PPA’s recent performance report shows the agency moving in a more open direction. Growth in cargo movements, container traffic, ship calls, and passenger volumes reflects a system that’s functioning. But numbers alone don’t automatically mean the public is feeling the impact. 

Cargo throughput rose by 7.47 percent, from 244.58-million metric tons in 2024 to 262.84-million metric tons in 2025. The increase was driven by steady demand for construction materials, ongoing infrastructure projects, growth in mining activities, and rising exports of raw minerals. Given this trajectory, cargo volumes are on track to hit at least 301.47-million metric tons by year-end. 

The positive momentum extends to container operations as well. Container traffic grew by 11.04 percent, from 6.43-million TEUs to 7.14-million TEUs, reflecting improved port efficiency and the impact of modernization initiatives. Digitalization programs such as the Terminal Appointment Booking System (TABS), strengthened public-private partnerships, and the expansion of domestic shipping fleets continue to streamline processes. With performance holding strong, container throughput is expected to exceed the 8-million TEU mark.

Passenger movement also showed steady improvement, increasing by 5.25 percent from 65.68-million passengers in 2024 to 69.13 million in 2025. This growth is supported by the vibrant domestic tourism and a robust cruise sector, which had welcomed more than 150,000 passengers as of October, a 78-percent year-on-year increase. 

As the Christmas travel season approaches, PPA anticipates a further rise in passenger volumes. All PPA-managed ports are fully prepared to accommodate the surge, ensuring safe and convenient travel. Passenger traffic is projected to reach 85.41 million by year-end.

Completing the upward trend, ship calls increased by 7.95 percent, from 517,411 to 558,534, indicating stronger domestic shipping activity and enhanced maritime connectivity across the country.

What I appreciate here is that the PPA isn’t claiming perfection. They’re showing progress. They’re showing work. They’re showing results that translate into something people can actually experience. When ports run smoothly, prices stabilize, supplies move faster, travel becomes easier, and local industries continue to grow. 

As the saying goes, “Transparency is the currency of trust.” May we see more agencies choosing to spend wisely and involving the public more in their growing figures. As we wrap up the year, let’s also unwrap transparency.