Philippine Coast Guard Intensifies Checks Against Overloading for Holy Week Travel

MANILA – As part of its increased alert status for the Holy Week, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has escalated its efforts to curb overloading on passenger ships and boats, aiming to ensure the safety of maritime travelers during this peak travel period. This move comes in response to the anticipated surge in passenger volume as Filipinos travel for the holiday.

According to Philippines News Agency, during an interview on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon, each PCG station has been directed to conduct manual checks on every departing passenger vessel to prevent overloading. Balilo emphasized that any vessel found to be carrying excess passengers would be compelled to offload them. In cases where there is non-compliance, the involved ship or boat will be detained and not permitted to depart.

The PCG is coordinating with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to synchronize their security measures. To manage the expected increase in passengers, the PCG has augmented its personnel at key maritime gateways, incorporating K9 units and deploying sea marshals on board departing ships nationwide. These marshals are tasked with monitoring the voyage to ensure that each journey is conducted safely and in compliance with regulations.

Despite the measures in place, Balilo reported that the volume of maritime passengers has been rising, although it remains below their initial expectations. He anticipates a further increase in passenger numbers in the afternoon, especially following the suspension of work for government employees.

From the morning until noon on Wednesday, the PCG recorded a total of 64,179 outbound and 55,719 inbound passengers at ports across the country. To support this significant logistical operation, the Coast Guard has deployed 3,395 frontline personnel across 15 districts, inspecting 639 vessels and 1,077 motor bancas to ensure compliance with safety and security standards.

The PCG’s proactive measures are part of a comprehensive strategy to ensure the safety and security of maritime passengers during one of the busiest travel seasons in the Philippines, underscoring their commitment to preventing accidents and ensuring that travelers can celebrate the Holy Week with peace of mind.