Passenger rush expected to

start on Friday –Coast Guard
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Bacolod City said they are expecting a jump in passenger volume between Friday and Monday next week ahead of Christmas Day. PCG-Negros Occidental chief, Lt. Commander Jansen Benjamin said, as of yesterday morning, the number of passengers at the Bredco and Banago Ports remained normal throughout the day and they did not record any incidents.
He noted, while the numbers are still at normal levels, the number of passengers is expected to gradually increase, reaching its peak from this Friday until Monday of next week.
As of 6:00 a.m yesterday, the PCG in Negros Occidental recorded a total of 1,319 outbound passengers at various ports across the province. Additionally, outbound passengers in Iloilo were reported at 2,515.
Benjamin also said they are strictly carrying out baggage inspections at terminals and advised those traveling not to carry contraband items such as bladed weapons and pyrotechnics.
He added, vessels are subject to pre-departure inspections to make sure equipment are in working order and that they are not overloading passengers or cargo./DGB, WDJ