Filipinos lost more hours in Metro Manila, Davao City traffic in 2025

MANILA, Philippines – Filipinos spent more time stuck in rush-hour traffic in 2025 than in the previous year, according to the latest TomTom Traffic Index.

In Metro Manila, motorists lost an average of 143 hours — or five days and 23 hours — to traffic in 2025. This is one hour and 16 minutes longer than in 2024, based on TomTom estimates.

The situation was worse in Davao City, where people spent 168 hours, or seven days and 40 minutes, in traffic. This marks an increase of six hours and 23 minutes from 2024.

As in 2024, Davao City’s congestion level stood at 66.2%. A 10-kilometer drive in the city took an average of 34 minutes and 17 seconds.

In Metro Manila, the average congestion level was at 57.3%. A 10-kilometer drive in the metro took an average of 28 minutes and two seconds, which was 31 seconds longer than in 2024. 

The average speed during rush hour in Metro Manila was 17.5-kilometers per hour, while the average speed on highways was 52.1 km/h.

The traffic situtaion on December 9, 2025 was worst day to travel in 2025 in Metro Manila with a congestion level at 88%.

TomTom said travel times and speeds were calculated using anonymized trip data collected from drivers across the full road network in each metropolitan area, including major roads and highways.

Traffic rankings

Out of 492 cities across 62 countries, Davao City ranked 12th among the cities with the worst traffic, while Metro Manila placed 40th in the TomTom index.

In a separate ranking for metropolitan areas, Davao City ranked 11th, while Metro Manila came in at 14th.

Based on the report, the Philippines is the most congested country in Asia, followed by India and Singapore.

Unlike the 2024 traffic report, which included Caloocan City, the 2025 index only covered Davao City and Metro Manila.

In 2025, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority reimplemented the no contact apprehension policy after it had been suspended for nearly three years due to a temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, the planned rehabilitation of EDSA — Metro Manila’s main thoroughfare — initially set for mid–2025, was postponed to late December.

In his 2025 State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vowed to push through with major transportation projects. Partial operations of the North–South Commuter Railway are expected to begin by late 2026 or 2027.

Marcos also said he aims to inaugurate the Metro Manila Subway by 2028, well ahead of the 2032 target previously cited by then-transportation secretary and now Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon.

The year 2025 also saw the revival of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos’ Love Bus program, which was relaunched in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao. – Rappler.com