Transport hubs tighten security as Undas exodus nears

MANILA — The Office for Transportation Security has activated a round-the-clock security operations center and has deployed auditors to ensure passenger safety as millions are expected to travel for Undas.

Speaking to “Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon”, OTS Administrator Gilbert Cruz said the security operations center will help authorities monitor transportation systems.

The safety auditors will, meanwhile, check airports, seaports, bus terminals and railway stations to see if operators “are properly and adequately” implementing measures the OTS told them to. 

He said port operators and transport hubs are also on heightened alert to ensure public safety.

Millions of Filipinos are expected to travel this weekend for the traditional All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, where people visit the dead.

Cruz said they have also launched information campaigns for the public.

“Alam naman po natin na talagang triple iyong pagbuhos po ng mga tao ngayon lalo na po nitong Undas, so sinuspend po muna namin iyong mga leave nila so tuluy-tuloy po iyong serbisyo nila,” he said.

(We know that passenger volume triples during Undas, so we suspended our people’s leaves to ensure continuous service.)

He said the OTS has increased personnel deployment and has coordinated with stakeholders at transport hubs to avoid long queues.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Ports Authority said they are also prepared for the surge of travelers this weekend.

“We’re expecting 1.93 million passengers [for] Undas 2026,”  PPA spokesperson Eunice Samonte said, adding numbers could still change because price increases for fuel and goods.

The PPA spokesperson said they have also launched an online ticketing system to make travelling in seaports easier and more accessible.

Passengers will need to scan a QR code to choose the trips they want to take and get a digital pass when they make a reservation.

Passengers can present the digital pass for easier entry to ports.

“Kumbaga kung parang sa airport po ‘no, parang ito iyong boarding pass,” she added.

(It would be like the boarding pass at airports.)

Samonte said high passenger volume is expected in the Panay-Guimaras area, Batangas, and Calapan in Oriental Mindoro.

PPA is providing WiFi, charging stations and water refilling stations at ports in those areas.