By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The number of passengers plying the Bacolod City-Iloilo City route is starting to pick up based on the observation of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Negros Occidental.

PCG-Negros Occidental station chief, Commander Ludovico Librilla, did not state the exact number of passengers entering and exiting the Simplicio Palanca Sea Terminal at the Bredco port in Bacolod City, although he confirmed the passengers are continuing to rise compared to what was observed during the trip resumptions earlier this month.

Librilla said passengers are fully cooperative of the health protocols imposed by the local government units.

The PCG commander said as long as the guidelines remain less restrictive, they are already forecasting a further increase in the number of passengers traveling during the December holiday season.

In anticipation of the passenger increase, Librilla said he has already asked the national headquarters to send an additional 50 personnel to augment their existing force.

Librilla is also urging the traveling public to continue observing the health protocols, such as wearing of face masks and face shields at all times when aboard passenger vessels, and maintaining physical distancing./DGB, WDJ