Traveling this Undas? What to expect as passenger volume triples

MANILA — Travelers heading to their home provinces for Undas should expect heavier passenger traffic and heightened security at airports, seaports, bus terminals and railway stations as authorities prepare for the holiday exodus.

The Office for Transportation Security (OTS) said passenger volume at transportation hubs nationwide has significantly increased ahead of the long weekend, with the number of travelers nearly tripling compared to ordinary days.

OTS Administrator Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz said the agency suspended the leave of security screening officers nationwide to ensure faster passenger processing and prevent long queues at security checkpoints.

“Practically, lahat naman po ng airports natin and seaports, tumaas ‘yung number ng mga passengers natin, and that’s why we need to suspend ‘yung mga leave ng mga screening officers natin nationwide to ensure yung quicker and seamless processing at the security checkpoints, especially dito sa mga airports natin,” Cruz said in an interview on ANC’s Headstart on Friday.

Cruz said the surge in travelers had already started several days before October 30, with authorities continuing to monitor passenger arrivals at airports.

“Siguro three days ago pa talaga nagpe-peak na ‘yung number of travelers. Until now, nandito kami sa airport right now, and we’re still monitoring the number of passengers na dumadami at nagdadatingan,” he said.

“‘Yung long weekend natin nag-coincide dito sa ating Undas. That’s why I think ‘yung dami ng tao, sabihin na natin talaga nag-triple ‘yung dami ng tao,” Cruz said.

Despite higher transportation costs, Cruz said Filipinos continue to prioritize spending the occasion with their families.

Passengers can expect more security personnel and inspections at transportation hubs as the OTS deploys security auditors to airports, seaports, bus terminals and railway stations.

The auditors will check whether transportation operators are properly implementing security measures. The agency is also inspecting security screening equipment to prevent sudden breakdowns that could cause delays and long queues.

“We have this inspection or audit ng equipment namin. Ayaw na namin kasi may masisira biglang equipment on mga ganitong pagkakataon kasi it causes delay and very long queues,” Cruz said.

The OTS is conducting these inspections in coordination with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), particularly at seaports.

The OTS has also launched an information campaign to remind passengers of travel requirements and items prohibited inside transportation hubs and aboard public transportation.

Cruz advised travelers to avoid bringing sharp and pointed objects in their baggage, while passengers transporting firearms should carry the appropriate licenses and permits.

For liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs), containers in carry-on baggage must not exceed 100 milliliters. Items exceeding this limit should be placed in checked-in baggage.

He also urged passengers to limit their baggage to essential items to help speed up security screening.

“Initially if they have doubts, please visit the OTS website to review the updated list of prohibited items for traveling and perhaps they could limit their baggage to essential items na lang just to ensure na mas mabilis ‘yung processing and screening ng checkpoints,” he said.