Iloilo sea trips cancelled from April 1 to 4 for Holy Week

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Several sea trips across key ports and terminals in Iloilo have been cancelled from April 1 to 4 for the observance of Holy Week, prompting authorities to advise passengers to plan ahead and monitor travel updates.

In a public advisory on March 31, Coast Guard Station Iloilo announced cancelled trips affecting routes from Iloilo City and nearby ports to Manila, Cebu, Bacolod, Banago, and EB Magalona.

At the Iloilo Passenger Terminal in Fort San Pedro, 2GO Shipping Lines cancelled its Iloilo-Manila trip on April 4, with trips set to resume on April 5.

Cokaliong Shipping Lines suspended its Iloilo-Cebu trip on April 3 and will resume operations on April 6, while Trans-Asia cancelled its Iloilo-Cebu trip on April 4 and is scheduled to resume on April 7.

At Dumangas Port, Tri-Star Megalink Corp. cancelled Dumangas-Bacolod trips on April 2 and 3, with the last trips set at 8 p.m. on April 2 and 6:30 p.m. on April 3. Operations will resume at 5 a.m. on April 4.

Montenegro Shipping Lines also suspended Dumangas-Bacolod trips on April 2 and 3. Its last trip on April 2 will be at 9 p.m., while no trips will operate on April 3. Sailing will resume at 7 a.m. on April 4.

Seen Sam Shipping Inc. likewise cancelled Dumangas-Banago trips from April 2 to 4, with operations expected to resume on April 5.

At the Iloilo Fastcraft Terminal in Lapuz, Weesam Express cancelled several Iloilo City-Bacolod City trips, including its 6:30 a.m. trip on April 1, its 10:20 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. trips on April 2, and all trips on April 3. Trips are set to resume on April 4.

OceanJet also cancelled its 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. trips on April 3, while Montenegro cancelled its 8:30 a.m. trip on April 2. Both operators are expected to resume trips on April 4.

FF Cruz Shipping Corp. cancelled its Bay-ang Port, Ajuy to EB Magalona trip on April 3, with operations to resume on April 4.

Holy Week is the most significant travel period in the Philippines outside of the Christmas season, with millions of Filipinos returning to their home provinces for religious observances, family reunions, and vacations. Shipping companies traditionally suspend operations during the Paschal Triduum — Holy Thursday through Black Saturday — in observance of the season.

PCG Iloilo spokesperson El John Ga said they deployed more than 200 personnel to ports and terminals to ensure seamless travel for passengers.

Ga said PCG Iloilo is currently under heightened alert and has activated Passenger Assistance Centers in ports to help manage crowds, assist travelers, and provide immediate medical response when needed.

The heightened alert and related operations were activated on March 26 and will run until April 5.

He said the Coast Guard is focusing on major ports, including Parola Wharf for trips to Guimaras, Lapuz Ro-Ro Wharf, and Dumangas Port, which serves operations bound for Bacolod.

“For our passengers, make sure to plan ahead and get yourself updated on the trips,” he told the Daily Guardian.

“We appeal to the passengers to be cautious. Do not bring expensive materials when travelling,” he added.

Coast Guard Western Visayas reported that it recorded a total of 3,974 passengers across ports in the region as of noon on April 1.

It said it monitored 1,777 outbound passengers and 2,197 inbound passengers in ports across Western Visayas.