Holy Week sea travelers up 24%

MANILA, Philippines — The number of sea passengers during the Holy Week break increased by 24 percent compared to last year, according to Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) general manager Jay Santiago.

In a statement, Santiago said the PPA recorded 1,628,950 passengers in various ports from April 2 to 10. At least 1.3 million sea travelers were recorded during the Lenten break last year.

The highest number of passengers was recorded on Monday, which reached 253,154.

On Wednesday last week, the PPA recorded 233,962 people who left for the provinces.

Santiago said the increase in the number of travelers is an indication that the country is beginning to recover from the COVID pandemic.

Santiago said no untoward incidents were recorded in all port management offices in the country from April 2 to 9.

The Philippine Coast Guard deployed more than 2,000 frontline personnel in 15 PCG districts to inspect vessels and motorized boats to ensure the safety of passengers who went home for the Holy Week.

The PCG placed its districts, stations and substations on heightened alert to manage the influx of passengers.

Meanwhile, the PCG rescued two persons after their motorized boat sank in the waters between San Juan, Batangas and Sariaya, Quezon on Monday.

The PCG said search and rescue operations were conducted after they received a call from boat passengers Clemente Duran, 40, and Jackson Gonzaga, 34.