Over 26,000 passengers are boarding boats in ports nationwide, says PCG

Passengers have their tickets rebooked or refunded at the Tagbilaran Port in Bohol since boat trips were still cancelled on Tuesday, December 24, 2019 due to tropical storm Ursula. (File photo from LEO UDTOHAN / Inquirer Visayas)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has so far monitored more than 26,000 inbound and outbound passengers in ports nationwide on Sunday — a day before the opening of classes.

In a report on Sunday, PCG said a total of 26,516 passengers were recorded in all ports in the country — 15,509 outbound and 11,007 inbound.

Moreover, it inspected 177 vessels and 23 motorbancas.

According to PCG, the monitoring was conducted by its 3,322 frontline personnel deployed in 15 districts.

It has also placed its districts, stations and sub-stations on heightened alert to manage the influx of port passengers for ‘Balik Eskwela’ (back to school) 2024.

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President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. earlier announced that the opening of classes will continue on Monday, July 29.

However, those affected by the recent flooding caused by typhoon Carina have the discretion to decide whether or not they need more time to recover.

The Department of Education said 738 public schools nationwide postponed the opening of classes for this school year following the effects of the southwest monsoon and Carina.