ILOILO City – More than 91,000 passengers passed through ports across Western Visayas during the New Year travel rush, prompting the Coast Guard District Western Visayas (CGDWV) to place all units on heightened alert even as authorities reported no sea accidents during the peak period.
Based on CGDWV data under Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Pasko 2025, a total of 91,163 passengers were recorded from 12 midnight of December 31, 2025 to 6 a.m. of January 2, 2026 with 48,976 inbound and 42,187 outbound travelers using ports in the region.
Passenger volume peaked between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. on December 31, when 13,692 inbound and 12,225 outbound passengers were logged.
CGDWV monitored coast guard stations in Iloilo, Guimaras, Capiz, Aklan, and Antique, including Iloilo City and Roxas City.
Monitoring began on December 20, 2025 and will run until January 4, 2026 with authorities expecting continued high traffic as work and classes resume this Monday, January 5.
To manage the surge, CGDWV — under the leadership of Commodore Ludovico Librilla Jr. — deployed additional frontline personnel to five coast guard stations to augment inspections of vessels, motorbancas, and other sea-going craft. Beach areas were also included in patrols amid expectations of increased weekend gatherings.
As of this report, no sea accidents involving passenger vessels have been recorded during the holiday period.
Earlier this week, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Iloilo issued a public advisory warning of possible changes in sea trip schedules due to operational and safety considerations.
“The public is hereby advised that sea trips within the area of responsibility of Coast Guard Station Iloilo may be limited or reduced during the holiday season due to operational and safety considerations,” the advisory read.
Passengers and the riding public were urged to:
* Monitor official announcements from shipping lines and port authorities;
* Confirm trip schedules prior to travel;
* Arrive early at ports and terminals; and
* Strictly comply with safety, security, and port regulations.
“The PCG – Coast Guard Station Iloilo assures the public that all necessary measures are being implemented to ensure the safety of passengers, vessels, and maritime operations during the peak holiday travel period. We seek the public’s understanding and cooperation,” the PCG-Iloilo added./PN
