102,000 travelers at ports on Monday so far amid Holy Week exodus

Nearly 102,000 travelers were counted at Philippine ports on Monday amid the Holy Week exodus, according to a consolidated report from the Department of Transportation and its attached agencies, including the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). 

PCG deputy spokesperson Commander Michael John Encina said that the number of passengers in ports nationwide is gradually increasing. 

“Paunti-unti po, dumadami na yung mga pasaherong na-monitor natin,” he said at the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing. 

(Gradually, the number of passengers we have monitored is increasing.)

A of 6 a.m., the authorities estimated about 15,400 plus outbound passengers and 16,000 inbound passengers at ports nationwide. As of noon, the number had grown to 55,269 outbound passengers and 46,724 inbound passengers.

The PCG reiterated that 17,000 personnel will be deployed as it is on heightened alert from April 13 to 20. 

“Overall, we will deploy 17,000 Coast Guard personnel para mag-provide ng pre-departure inspection, magbantay sa ating mga pantalan, hindi lang sa pantalan pati yung mga maliliit pampasaherong floating asset na ginagamit pantawid dito sa ating mga malalapit na mga lugar ay babantayin din po ng Philippine Coast Guard,” said Encina. 

(Overall, we will deploy 17,000 Coast Guard personnel to provide pre-departure inspection, to guard our ports, and also the small passenger floating assets used for crossing to nearby areas, they will also be guarded by the Philippine Coast Guard.) 

Further, the PCG said that it will also conduct a recreational safety enforcement inspection in tourist spots in the country. 

“Yung ating mga pangunahing tourist spots will be inspected to ensure na mayroon silang kwalipikadong mga life guards, mayroon silang mga sapat na mga medical personnel just in case na kailanganin po,” said Encina. 

(Our major tourist spots will be inspected to ensure that they have qualified life guards, they have sufficient medical personnel just in case they are needed.) 

The Bureau of Immigration earlier said that it will deploy additional personnel to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Meanwhile, the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange is expecting over two million passengers over the holidays. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BM, GMA Integrated News