THE number of passengers passing through the Bredco Port in Bacolod City has started to increase since Wednesday, April 5, 2023, and port personnel are expecting a huge influx on Holy Thursday, April 6.
Aj Gealon, manager of the Simplicio A. Palanca Sea Terminal and BREDCO roll-on/roll-off (roro) terminal, said as of 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 4, they had only counted 737 passengers passing through the sea terminal who were bound for Iloilo City.
The figure does not include the passengers and vehicles passing through the roro terminal bound for Dumangas Port in Iloilo.
Another influx of passengers is expected on Easter Sunday, April 9, and Monday, April 10, when passengers are expected to return home.
According to Gealon, the number of passengers picked up Wednesday, April 5, as some public and private offices observed half-day work following MalacaƱang's declaration.
Gealon said their terminals, both for fastcraft and roro, are ready for the influx of passengers and assured travelers of their needs and comfort, as the terminals are fully air-conditioned and several food vendors and kiosks are available in case the passengers get hungry while waiting to board the ferry and roro vessels.
A clinic is also available for passengers who may need medical assistance.
Security is tight, with passengers' bags going through x-ray machines, and guards also perform pat-down searches to ensure there is no contraband or weapons.
Gealon advised the passengers to show up at the terminal early.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in northern Negros Occidental is also assisting the Provincial African Swine Fever Task Force to block the entry of pork products into the province.
PCG-Northern Negros Occidental Station chief Commander Joe Luviz Mercurio said that they are checking cargo and baggage for any pork products.
Mercurio said they recently met with Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson on the ongoing entry ban on pork products.