A total of 123,691 people passed through various ports in Western Visayas from Wednesday afternoon to early Thursday lunchtime, according to a report from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

According to Coast Guard District-Western Visayas (CGDWW) monitoring, 70,578 outbound passengers and 53,113 inbound passengers boarded vessels working routes in Negros and Panay islands to return home, go on vacation, or visit pilgrimage sites.

From 6 p.m. on Wednesday to 6 a.m. on Thursday, there were 51,529 passengers departing and 37,020 passengers arriving. on Thursday, as well as 19,049 departing and 16,093 inbound passengers beginning at 6 a.m. until Thursday at 12:00.

Based on the data, 426 vessels and 1,063 motor bancas have been inspected for travel.

As government offices were already closed by midday on Wednesday, the last regular work day before the Holy Week vacations, an influx of passengers was predicted.

The CGDWW had deployed 377 people as of Thursday, according to the "Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Semana Santa and Summer Vacation 2023," including 54 in Antique, 42 in Aklan, 91 in Iloilo, 29 in Capiz, 31 in Guimaras, 81 in North Negros Occidental, and 49 in South Negros Occidental.

The PCG is on high alert from April 2 to 10 to improve safety measures at ports and seaways across the country during Holy Week.