Despite higher ferry fares and reduced trip schedules, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported a 26% increase in passenger volume at the start of the Holy Week exodus compared to the same period in 2025.

In an interview on DZRH's Damdaming Bayan, PCG spokesperson Noemie Cayabyab said more than 740,000 inbound and outbound passengers have already been recorded and monitored nationwide.

“Halos 741,594 inbound and outbound passengers na po ang naitala po at na-monitor po ng Philippine Coast Guard. Compared to last year, sa ganitong araw, halos 26% ang itinaas po ng bilang ng ating mga minomonitor na pasahero ngayon,” Cayabyab said.

Cayabyab noted that the surge in travelers may be attributed to early planning by passengers, with many Filipinos choosing to proceed with their trips despite rising transportation costs.

“Naging planado na po itong bakasyon na ito. Medyo mahaba po ang holiday. Hindi lang naman sa pagnilain-nilain itong holiday season po natin. Pero ang nakikita po natin dito is bakasyon na rin po sa iilan po natin mga kababayan,“ she said.

“So, despite itong mga increase sa mga fuel price po natin, ay nakikita pa rin po natin na medyo malaki pa rin po ang bilang na umuwi sa kanilang mga probinsya,” she added.

In response to the influx of passengers, the PCG assured the public of its readiness to maintain safety and security in ports across the country.

“Handang-handa po ang Philippine Coast Guard dito. Nag-deploy po tayo ng 17,000 PCG personnel nationwide po yan. At nag-activate na rin po tayo ng ating mga deployable response group kasama po ang ating rescue swimmers and even yung mga medics and nurses po natin kasama po yung mga floating assets para po umalalay sa ating mga biyohero at mga kababayan,” Cayabyab said.

The PCG expects total passenger volume over three million during the Holy Week rush.