ILOILO — A massive Holy Week travel surge pushed passenger traffic in Western Visayas past 220,000, with the Philippine Coast Guard reporting zero maritime incidents.
Data from the Coast Guard District Western Visayas (CDGWV) showed that from April 1 to 6 a.m. of April 5, a total of 220,711 passengers passed through ports across the region, nearly evenly split between 110,740 outbound and 109,971 inbound.
The peak of the travel wave was felt on Maundy Thursday (April 2) and Good Friday (April 3), driven largely by pilgrims and tourists heading to major religious and leisure destinations such as Guimaras for the Ang Pagtaltal Sa Balaan Bukid and Boracay Island in Caticlan, Malay, Aklan.
The influx was closely monitored under “Oplan Byaheng Ayos: Semana Santa and Summer Vacation 2026,” with all Coast Guard stations and substations placed on heightened alert from March 28 to April 5.
To ensure safety, the CDGWV deployed 416 frontline personnel across key stations in Iloilo, Guimaras, Capiz, Aklan, and Antique. These teams conducted inspections of passenger vessels and motorbancas to guarantee they were seaworthy and not overloaded.
Beyond ports, Coast Guard units also intensified coastal vigilance.
Despite the surge in travelers, authorities maintained a clean safety record.
At the height of the Holy Week observance, Coast Guard Station Guimaras, led by Lieutenant JG Benedict Angelo Gloriani, activated Passenger Assistance Centers and deployed K9 units to support the thousands of pilgrims attending the Pagtaltal.
Personnel on the ground also assisted devotees throughout Good Friday rites, ensuring orderly movement and public safety during one of the region’s largest religious gatherings./PN
