By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) – Western Visayas has observed a reduction in the daily average of passengers in seaports here, a few days before the New Year’s celebration.
Commander Jansen Benjamin, operations officer and public information officer of PCG-Western Visayas, said the daily average of passengers from Bacolod to Iloilo via fastcraft and roll-on roll-off (Roro) vessels is around 600, as of Dec. 30.
As of Friday, Dec. 30, Benjamin said they have not received unusual maritime incidents in the region.
Benjamin said the influx of passengers is expected after the holiday season, since most people will return to their workplace starting Jan. 2.
He said the PCG is on heightened alert until Jan. 7.
A total of 2,138 personnel were deployed to secure the safety of the passengers this holiday season.
Random paneling of cargoes and inspection in various seaports are being conducted by Coast Guard personnel.
