Over 672,000 travelers passed through various ports nationwide over a two-day span as the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) enforced heightened security and safety inspections for the “Undas” holiday rush.
According to PCG spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab, monitoring data recorded from midnight on October 29 to noon on October 31 showed a total of 348,916 outbound passengers and 323,216 inbound passengers.
During a single six-hour window from 6 a.m. to noon on Saturday, authorities logged 60,411 departing and 54,291 arriving passengers, alongside 540 inspected vessels and 806 motorbancas.
Regionally, Coast Guard District Central Visayas registered the highest passenger volume, recording 13,700 outbound and 9,768 inbound travelers. Meanwhile, the Port of Ormoc City reported 332 departing and 150 arriving individuals on Saturday.
The PCG maintained a heightened alert status to assist the traveling public, manage port security, and execute safety checks. Officials also reminded passengers to follow port regulations and onboard safety protocols to avoid accidents.
In tandem with the coast guard’s efforts, the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) ramped up compliance and enforcement operations at the Port of Lucena in Quezon.
A team led by Marina Enforcement Service Director Luisito delos Santos and regional personnel inspected vessels—including the MV MA NATASHA operated by Montenegro Shipping Lines Inc.—beginning October 29.
Although port monitoring showed light passenger traffic and minimal rolling cargo movement in Lucena, Marina Officer-in-Charge Loumer Bernabe directed regional directors to maintain strict safety oversight and proactive enforcement across all regional jurisdictions.