MANILA, April 15, 2025 (Reuters) – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported monitoring more than 12,000 passengers at ports in Southern Tagalog on Tuesday, as part of its heightened alert for the Semana Santa and summer vacation period.
Under the Department of Transportation’s “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Semana Santa and Summer Vacation 2025” initiative, the Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog tracked 5,596 outbound and 6,352 inbound passengers between midnight and 6 a.m. on April 15. The PCG also inspected 27 vessels and 37 roll-on, roll-off (RoRo) vessels, with no motorbancas inspected during the period.
The PCG has placed its districts, stations, and sub-stations on heightened alert from April 13 to 20 to ensure the safety and security of sea travelers during the busy holiday season, a time when millions of Filipinos travel to provinces and tourist destinations. Semana Santa, or Holy Week, is a significant religious observance in the predominantly Catholic nation, often coinciding with the start of summer vacation.
Authorities expect passenger numbers to rise further as the week progresses, with the PCG intensifying inspections and patrols to prevent maritime incidents. The annual operation aims to address overcrowding, vessel safety violations, and other risks during peak travel periods.
