ILOILO City – Approximately 67,702 passengers passed through various ports across Western Visayas on New Year’s Day, January 1, according to the Philippine Coast Guard District – Western Visayas (CGD-WV) under its Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Pasko 2024 initiative.
Of the total, 34,189 were inbound passengers entering the region, while 33,513 were outbound passengers leaving the provinces of Iloilo, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Guimaras.
This figure represents the highest passenger volume recorded since coastguard’s “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Pasko 2024” began on December 20. The monitoring will continue until January 3.
On Thursday, January 2, CGD-WV reported handling 22,205 passengers (12 a.m. to 12 p.m.), with 11,503 inbound and 10,702 outbound travelers.
Meanwhile, on Christmas Day, December 25, a total of 48,949 passengers were logged.
To manage the influx of passengers, CGD-WV deployed 176 frontline personnel to augment the staff at five stations: Coast Guard Station Iloilo, Coast Guard Station Guimaras, Coast Guard Station Capiz, Coast Guard Station Antique, and Coast Guard Station Aklan.
Their primary responsibilities included inspecting vessels, rolling cargoes, and motorbancas to ensure seaworthiness, prevent overloading, and enforce precautionary safety measures.
Under heightened alert from December 20, 2024 to January 3, 2025 CGD-WV’s floating assets and search-and-rescue personnel were on standby to respond to any maritime emergencies.
Coastguard personnel also patrolled beaches and resorts to check the implementation of safety measures. Assistance help desks were set up at major ports, including Parola Wharf in Iloilo City, Jordan Wharf in Guimaras, and Caticlan Port in Aklan, to assist passengers with queries and concerns.
The CGD-WV expects passenger arrivals at various ports to gradually increase this weekend as workers return after the long holiday break./PN
