Around 130,000 to 140,000 passengers passed through various seaports nationwide in time for the Christmas Day celebration, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Saturday, Dec. 25.
In a statement, the PCG reported that there were 69,116 outbound passengers and 62,408 inbound passengers in all ports nationwide on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24.
Meanwhile, a consolidated data for the situation on Dec. 25 showed outbound passengers increased by 6,034 while inbound passengers also grew by 9,595.
The PCG has placed all of its district, station, and sub-station units on a heightened alert from Dec. 16, 2021 to January 5, 2022 to manage the influx of port passengers who will visit their families and loved ones in the provinces for the Christmas and New Year’s Day celebration.
Frontline personnel were deployed in 15 PCG districts to man the inspection of sea vessels and motorbancas as part of the Department of Transport’s (DOTr) “OPLAN BIYAHENG AYOS: PASKO 2021.”
The PCG said that 773 vessels and 959 motorbancas were inspected by its field personnel so far.
Meanwhile, Admiral Leopoldo Laroya, PCG Commandant, instructed CG commanders to ensure that the minimum health standards are being observed in all ports even with the continuous decrease in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infections.
He encouraged the riding public to check the existing ordinances of their destination as local government units have different documentary and testing requirements.
He said they may also coordinate with the PCG through its official Facebook page or the Coast Guard Public Affairs (0927-560-7729) for inquiries, concerns, and clarifications regarding sea travel protocols and regulations this Christmas season.