MANILA: Outbound passenger traffic at ports across the Philippines surged on New Year’s Day, with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reporting 36,094 passengers departing from 6 a.m. to noon. This marks a steady flow as the holiday season draws to a close, highlighting the nation’s robust marine passenger movement.
According to Philippines News Agency, the PCG also reported that during the same period, inbound passenger traffic reached 29,325. These figures represent a significant increase from the early morning hours of the same day, which saw only 5,203 outbound and 7,088 inbound passengers recorded from midnight to 6 a.m.
The PCG has mobilized 2,967 frontline personnel across 16 districts to manage the heightened activity. These personnel have conducted inspections on 255 vessels and 699 motorbancas between 6 a.m. and noon, ensuring safety and compliance amid the busy travel period.
Notably, the day prior saw even higher numbers, with 133,760 outbound and 130,812 inbound passengers recorded nationwide. This surge in travel activity prompted the PCG to maintain heightened alert status from December 20, 2024, to January 3, 2025, as part of the Department of Transportation’s ‘OPLAN Biyaheng Ayos: Pasko 2024’ initiative aimed at ensuring smooth and safe holiday travel experiences.
