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The Department of Tourism (DOT) revealed the top tourist destinations during the 2025 holiday season.
The agency believes that the long holiday break paves the way to strengthen domestic tourism, as many Filipinos traveled to different local tourist destinations.
The following destinations, along with the respective number of tourists as reported by the DOT, are as follows:
Based on the data issued by the tourism department, Boracay and Baguio City remained the top choices of travelers during holiday season.
Furthermore, the data indicates that despite the cooler seasonal climate, majority of travelers considered going to islands and beaches for their holiday getaways.
MANILA - President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signed the General Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2026, officially approving the ₱6.793 trillion national budget.
The education sector secured the largest amount from the national budget, with an allocation exceeding one trillion pesos. This allocation aligns with the UNESCO benchmark for education spending, equivalent to the 4.4% Philippines’ GDP.
“The education sector has received the largest share of the national budget amounting to P1.35 trillion, equivalent to 4.4 % of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Particularly for DepEd, we will be allocated P1.015 trillion to ensure that quality education reaches every learner across the country,” based on the issued statement by DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara
Sec. Angara stated that this is the first time the Philippines has reached this milestone.
“For the first time in Philippine history, the nation has allocated more than 4 percent of its GDP to education, to ensure that quality education is delivered to every Filipino learner.” Sen. Angara added.
DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara discloses the plans for addressing concerns and challenges in the sector this year.
For classrooms and school buildings, ₱85.3 billion will be allotted for 165,000 classroom backlogs, ₱65 billion for the construction of 24,964 additional classrooms, and ₱7.7 billion for the repair and rehabilitation of existing facilities.
Additional textbooks and learning materials are also included in the target, which will utilize ₱19.5 billion for the production.
Also, Sec. Angara stated that, aside from the improvements to physical infrastructure, all public schools must have access to digital tools and reliable internet connectivity. With this, ₱10.6 billion will go to the DepEd Digital Computerization Program (DCP).
₱25.3 billion will be allocated for the Expanded School-Based Feeding Program to support students’ health conditions.
The department also plans to open more vacancies for teaching positions, school counselors, and administrative officers.
With reports from Jed Nerecina
MANILA — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno has officially declared the suspension of classes and local government offices in the city on January 9, 2026.
The suspension applies to all levels, both public and private schools. No online classes will be conducted on this day
Local government frontline units will remain operational to ensure the security and order of the public, as a massive influx of devotees is highly expected during the Feast of Black Nazarene in Quiapo.
“Frontline services of the City Government of Manila such as those concerning peace and order, public services, traffic enforcement, disaster risk reduction and management, and health will remain operational,” according to the issued statement issued by Manila the Public Information Office (MPIO).
The MPIO added that suspension in private companies and national government offices located in Manila will depend on the discretion of their respective management.
E-trike and e-bike ban on major roads now in effect
MANILA—The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has confirmed the strict enforcement of e-trike and e-bike ban on major roads starting January 2, 2026.
The implementation of this measure was originally planned to begin last December 1, 2025. However, the plan was moved to January 2, 2026, due to public concerns and the necessity for the office to conduct an information drive.
LTO Chief, Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao reminded the public that e-bikes, e-trikes, and other Light Electric Vehicles (LEV) are not allowed on national roads and highways. Only high-speed motor vehicles are allowed to use these thoroughfares.
The statement of Lacanilao last November aligns with the recent statement of LTO reiteration that major roads are designated for high-speed vehicles. E-trikes or e-bikes are required to use alternative lanes or routes designated for them to ensure their safety.
“These highways are designated for higher-speed vehicular movement, and alternative transport units like e-trikes require dedicated lanes or appropriate routes to operate safely,” LTO said
The following roads where e-trikes and e-bikes are strictly prohibited include:
Violators will face penalties, including a fine or impounding of their vehicles.
MANILA—The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has announced the completion of asphalt overlay project on EDSA busway from Roxas Boulevard to Orense as part of the EDSA rehabilitation plan.
In December, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon announced the initial schedule for EDSA rehab, spanning from December 24, 2025 (11:00 PM) to January 5, 2026 (4:00 AM).
The inner busway lane is now back to normal operations after the mentioned rehabilitation plan.
Following the long holidays, the new schedule for rehab runs from 10:00 PM to 4:00 AM.
“Repair works for other sections of EDSA will continue on limited schedule, from 10 pm to 4 am daily,” according to DOTr’s statement.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon had mentioned last December that EDSA would be open to regular traffic from 5:00 AM.
“Magta-trabaho, 10:00 PM to 4:00 AM. Pero pagdating ng 5:00 AM, bubuksan na yan to regular traffic.” Sec. Dizon said
[Working hours will be from 10:00 PM to 4:00 AM. But by 5:00 AM, it will be open to regular traffic.”]
This working timespan aims to minimize disruption for commuters.
Following the initial completion of the project, the DOTr noted that passengers experienced smoother transit and reduced travel times. This experience strengthens the agency’s belief that the full completion of the project will bring a more efficient, safer, and faster travel experience for the commuters.
“Following the completion of the asphalt overlay on the busway lane, drivers and passengers immediately took notice of the smoother rides and faster travel time. The rehabilitation of EDSA will likewise result in a more comfortable, convenient, safer, and better travel experience for commuters,” DOTr stated.
Furthermore, DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez strongly reiterates that only passenger buses are allowed to pass through the inner busway lane. Personnel from the Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation are constantly on alert to monitor private vehicles entering the busway.
