Over 100K outbound passengers at the onset of Holy Week —PCG

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Monday monitored more than 100,000 outbound passengers at all seaports in the country at the onset of the Holy Week.

In Cedric Castillo’s report on “24 Oras,” PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo reminded passengers to remain vigilant and to listen to instructions issued by the vessel’s captain and crew, especially after the recent fire incident with MV Lady Mary Joy 3 in which 29 individuals perished.

“Dapat malaman din po natin ang exit points kung saan nakalagay ‘yung life jackets, life raft, at huwag pong magpa-panic kung meron nang nangyayari,” he said.

(The passengers should be aware of where the exit points are and where the life jackets and raft were located. Do not panic should there be an incident.)

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is under “heightened alert” amid the expected influx of travelers for the celebration of the Holy Week.

PPA said personnel and K-9 units were deployed in the seaports to ensure no contraband will be allowed to enter the passenger ships.

“Kami naman sa PPA, naghihigpit kami pagdating sa security check, 'yung baggage check natin. Kaya po by batch ang pasok ng mga tao at nagkaroon na rin po tayo ng mga body scan at mga screening lalo na sa mga dala nila,” said PPA spokesperson Eunice Samonte.

(The PPA is strengthening our security check and baggage check that’s why the passengers are entering by batch. We are also implementing body scans and screening on their luggage.)

“So ito 'yung paalala natin na huwag na po magdala ng mga matagal na po nating ipinagbabawal gaya ng bladed weapons, saka mga lighter at gas,” she said.

(We’re reminding the public not to bring items that are not allowed such as bladed weapons, lighters, and gas.)

The passenger situation remains normal at the North Port Passenger Terminal in Manila but a significant number of travelers were monitored at the Batangas Port, according to the report. — Sundy Locus/BM, GMA Integrated News