ILOILO City – Passenger volume across Western Visayas ports neared the half-million mark during the Holy Week rush, prompting intensified security and safety protocols from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
As of noon on Easter Sunday, April 20, the PCG recorded a total of 494,832 outbound and inbound passengers across five key ports in the region — Iloilo, Guimaras, Antique, Aklan, and Capiz — as part of its “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Semana Santa 2025” initiative.
Of the total, 249,907 were outbound passengers, while 244,925 were inbound.
The highest daily passenger surge was logged on Black Saturday, April 19, with 77,969 travelers, followed closely by 77,331 on April 17 (Maundy Thursday), and 59,131 on April 16, according to Lieutenant Junior Grade Fresha Prill C. Daitao, PCG-6 spokesperson.
The PCG began its intensified monitoring operations on April 13 (Palm Sunday), placing its entire force nationwide on heightened alert to address the expected spike in maritime travelers and ensure their safety during the long holiday.
Throughout the operation, Coast Guard personnel were deployed to conduct vessel and motorbanca inspections, manage port Malasakit Help Desks, and respond to maritime inquiries and emergencies.
The help desks, activated from April 13 to 20, offered medical assistance and traveler support at major ports.
In addition to port surveillance, the PCG assigned teams to tourist destinations, especially beaches, to safeguard beachgoers on Easter Sunday, one of the busiest days for seaside activities.
Rescue teams with emergency response training were also placed on standby to swiftly respond to any untoward incidents at sea.
The monitoring campaign officially ended at midnight of April 20, capping a week of intensified maritime vigilance in Western Visayas./PN
