MANILA, Philippines — The Christmas travel rush is in full swing, with government authorities reporting over 42,000 passengers across various ports nationwide.
As of 6 a.m. on December 23, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) recorded a total of 42,847 passengers, comprising 19,701 inbound and 23,146 outbound travelers.
To ensure the safety and smooth operation of port activities, the PCG deployed 2,854 personnel across 16 districts.
They conducted inspections of 182 vessels and 28 motorbancas during the same timeframe.
In response to the expected influx of travelers, the PCG has placed all districts, stations, and sub-stations on heightened alert from December 20, 2024, to January 3, 2025.
In addition, more than 47,000 personnel from the Philippine National Police have been deployed across the country to maintain public safety during the holiday season.