The passenger traffic in the country’s ports had posted a modest 2.5 percent increase to 29.64 million in the first eight months of 2009 compared to 2008.

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) attributed the increase to cheaper rates offered by the domestic airlines.

The following ports posted significant growth in passenger traffic Calapan (11.03%) in Mindoro, South Harbor (8.22%), Dumaguete (5.96%), Ormoc (4.48%), and Zamboanga (4.21%).

For the month of August 2009, passenger traffic continued its decline with an 11.31% drop to 3.15 million from 3.55 million in 2008.

High passenger traffic was recorded in Batangas, Calapan, Zamboanga, Pulupandan, Tagbilaran and Legazpi.

PPA also recorded a slight decline in vessel traffic for the period January to August 2009, down by -0.63 percent compared to 2008.

Both domestic and foreign shipcalls suffered a decline despite the positive growth in vessel traffic in the ports of Surigao, Nasipit, Tagbilaran, Calapan and Ormoc.

Shipping traffic in August 2009 dropped by 6.47 percent to 25,405 compared to August 2008. Both domestic and foreign shipcalls during the month posted a 6.19 percent decline.