As the Holy Week break came to a close, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported a significant surge in maritime travel, monitoring over 112,000 port users nationwide during the first half of Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026.
The data, released as part of “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Semana Santa and Summer Vacation 2026,” reflects the massive “return wave” of Filipinos heading back to urban centers and work following the Lenten holidays.
In just a six-hour window from 6:00 AM to 12:00 noon on Sunday, the PCG recorded a total of 112,023 passengers. The breakdown shows a country in transition:
- Outbound Passengers: 64,584
- Inbound Passengers: 47,439
- Vessels Inspected: 645
- Motor Bancas Inspected: 927
This brings the cumulative passenger count for the entire Holy Week period (starting March 28) to nearly 3 million, aligning with the government’s earlier projections despite the ongoing national fuel crisis.
Under the direction of PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, all 16 Coast Guard districts remained on heightened alert. The primary focus of the Sunday operations was ensuring “seaworthiness” and preventing overloading—a common risk during the peak return period.
“Our personnel are working around the clock to manage the influx. We are conducting 24/7 monitoring of ships and water passages, particularly along the major inter-island routes on the western and eastern seaboards,” the PCG stated.
In addition to passenger counting, K9 units and security teams were deployed to major hubs like Batangas Port, Iloilo City, and the Caticlan Jetty Port (the gateway to Boracay) to carry out screenings and deter illegal activities.
- Western Visayas: Major gateways in Iloilo and Aklan saw some of the highest volumes as tourists began departing from Boracay and Guimaras.
- Batangas and Mindoro: These remains critical transit points, with the PCG strategically positioning vessels to assist in case of any “stranded” commuters due to vessel technicalities.
- Safety Compliance: Despite the heavy volume, no major maritime accidents were reported on Easter Sunday, attributed to the strict pre-departure inspections (PDI) enforced by the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
As the height of the summer vacation season continues, the PCG reminds the seafaring public to:
- Arrive Early: Expect longer queues at X-ray and ticketing counters.
- Use Digital Portals: For ports like Batangas and Lucena, passengers are encouraged to use the Online Reservation Assistance System (ORAS) to avoid being “chance passengers.”
- Follow Prohibitions: Flammable liquids, hazardous chemicals, and fireworks remain strictly prohibited on all passenger vessels.
The “heightened alert” status of the PCG is expected to remain in effect until the end of the summer vacation season to manage the sustained travel demand.