By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz | Philippine News Agency
Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez on Monday ordered maritime agencies under the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to prioritize the safety and convenience of the passengers during the observance of Undas 2025 from Nov. 1 to 2.
During his inspection of Batangas Port, Lopez issued the order to the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) in response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure safe and proper travel for passengers.
“You have to ensure that you’ll assist the passengers. May mangyayari na may mga pasahero na magkaka-problema, kayo ang unang lalapitan,” he said.
During the event, Lopez inspected a Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo) vessel to ensure its readiness and compliance with emergency requirements, including the provision of life vests.
He also inspected port facilities such as waiting areas for passengers and those specific for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWD), comfort rooms, dining areas, air-conditioning system, and the port’s 8,000-person seating capacity.
During his inspection of ticketing booths, he called on shipping lines to operate an online ticketing system to provide more convenience and to better avoid overloading.
“Base sa pag-aaral mas mahirap minsan ang pagmomonitor kung sumusobra ang ating mga pasahero. Bawal po ang overloading kaya kailangan talaga natin online,” he said.
Lopez was accompanied in the inspection by PPA General Manager Jay Santiago and other executives of the DOTr and its attached agencies.
For his part, Santiago assured passengers that there would be no increase in the terminal fees for the remainder of the year.
The PPA estimated that 2.2 million passengers are expected to flock to the country’s ports this coming Undas, around 15% larger than port passengers in the same period last year.
PPA expects 2.2M passengers during ‘Undas’ 2025 exodus
The volume of passengers expected for All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days or Undas on Nov. 1 and 2 was noted by the PPA to be higher than last year’s 1.9 million who travelled via seaports.
In an interview during an inspection at the Batangas Port on Monday, PPA GM Jay Santiago attributed the increase in passengers to the Malacañang proclamation that declared Oct. 31, 2025 as a special non-working day, giving Filipinos a long weekend.
“Layunin po ng PPA na matiyak ang ligtas, maayos, at maginhawang biyahe ng bawat pasahero ngayong Undas,” Santiago said.
To date, the busiest PPA ports are Iloilo and Jordan Ports in Iloilo, Batangas Port, Calapan Port in Oriental Mindoro, and Bredco Port in Bacolod City.
As part of the DOTr’s Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Undas 2025, the PPA’s Port Management Offices (PMO) will enforce a full manpower deployment to ensure continuous operation.
“Suspendido rin ang lahat ng leave ng mga kawani sa nasabing panahon bilang bahagi ng mas pinaigting na paghahanda ng ahensya,” he said.
To ensure passenger safety, the PPA is also coordinating with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP)–Maritime Group (MG).
“Nakahanda rin ang Malasakit Help Desk na bukas 24/7 sa mga pantalan upang agad na matugunan ang mga pangangailangan at katanungan ng mga pasahero,” Santiago said.
He reminded the public to arrive at ports early for their maritime travel due to the expected increase in passengers and to only buy tickets from legitimate outlets of shipping lines to avoid scams.
“Iwasan na rin po natin ang mga ipinagbabawal na gamit gaya ng matutulis na bagay, paputok, at mga likidong madaling magliyab para di na tayo maabala sa inspeksyon sa mga x-ray scanners,” he added.
Santiago also reiterated the Department of Health’s (DOH) report on the rising cases of influenza-like illness cases and to avoid getting sick by washing hands regularly, having adequate rest, and eating healthy. (PNA)
