Thousands of passengers flock to seaports after holiday season

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Western Visayas recorded at least 27,724 passengers in all seaports in the region as of 3 p.m., Jan. 2, 2023.

Based on the data from the PCG-Western Visayas, 14,818 were outbound passengers, while 12,906 were inbound passengers.

Commander Jansen Benjamin, operations officer and public information officer of PCG-Western Visayas, said that they have been expecting the influx of passengers after the holiday season as most of them return to their workplaces.

In fact, PCG deployed 292 personnel in various seaports in the region to ensure the safety of travelers.

At least 305 vessels and motorbancas were also inspected in the region by the PCG personnel.

For Bacolod alone, 1,696 outbound and 867 inbound passengers were reported as of 11 a.m. that day.

A total of 125 outbound and 97 inbound rolling cargoes were recorded, while four motor vessels were inspected here.