More than 79,000 passengers travelled by sea during Maundy Thursday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) announced.
A total of 41,311 outbound passengers and 38,104 inbound passengers were reported by different ports across the country, totalling 79,415.
The PCG added that the number of outbound passengers decreased by 15,516 while the inbounds decreased by 4,763 compared to those recorded on Holy Wednesday.
Frontline personnel in 15 PCG districts were able to check a total of 668 vessels and 747 motorized boats.
A total of 27,581 passengers in seaports were monitored from 12 a.m. to 12 p.m.
“Aside from upholding maritime security and maritime safety, the PCG also assists in the strict implementation of health protocols amid the COVID-19 pandemic,” it said in a statement.
The PCG has already placed its districts, stations, and sub-stations on “heightened alert” to control the arrival of port passengers amid the observance of the holy week from March 28 to April 3.
The protocol will extend during the length of the summer vacation as local tourists are expected to increase for recreational purposes in areas with less strict quarantine protocols until May 31. Ronald dela Cruz