By Glazyl M. Jopson
BACOLOD CITY – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) District Southern Visayas (DSV) reported 22,813 passengers passing through various seaports in the Negros Island Region (NIR) on January 2, following the New Year’s Day celebration.
According to CGDSV records, 12,741 were outbound passengers, while 10,072 were inbound. Coast Guard personnel also inspected 55 vessels, 46 roll-on roll-off (Roro) vessels, and 62 motorbancas.
Commodore Ludovico Librilla Jr., head of CGDSV, said they anticipate another surge in passenger traffic over the weekend as travelers return to work after the holiday break.
The PCG remained on heightened alert from December 20, 2024, to January 3, 2025, ensuring safety during the holiday season.
Librilla confirmed no maritime incidents were reported during the period.
Meanwhile, in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, a 52-year-old man drowned in the sea near Barangay Aguisan last Thursday.
Police investigations revealed that the victim was found lifeless along the shoreline a day after he left his house on Wednesday afternoon. Authorities believe he was intoxicated and may have fallen from a pump boat while sleeping.
In a separate incident on New Year’s Day, a 48-year-old security guard died from electrocution in Barangay Zone 6, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental.
The victim was discovered lifeless by a colleague in the compound hours after being seen alive that morning.
Police reported that the victim accidentally touched an open electrical wire extension hanging from the compound building to a fishing boat. He fell beneath the boat, resulting in his immediate death.
