1.5 million sea travelers expected on Undas

MANILA, Philippines — Up to 1.5 million people are expected to travel by sea to spend All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day in the provinces, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.

PCG spokesperson Cmdre. Noemie Cayabyab said the maritime agency expects the volume of sea passengers this year to be the same in 2025.

“Last year, we recorded around 1.5 million people who went home to various provinces. We would be anticipating the same number this year,” Cayabyab said.

The PCG would be on alert during the long weekend as Nov. 1 and 2 fall on a Sunday and Monday, respectively.

Up to 17,000 PCG personnel will be deployed in different ports nationwide from Oct. 29 to Nov. 3 to secure and assist travelers.

Among those to be deployed are personnel manning PCG floating assets, members of a deployable response group, which is composed of rescue and medical workers who will respond to emergency situations.

Members of K9 units will inspect passengers’ baggage for prohibited items including pyrotechnic materials.

For ports with high passenger traffic like Batangas, travelers have been urged to come two to three hours ahead of their departure to allow a thorough inspection of baggage and cargo.

Passenger assistance desks manned by personnel of the PCG, the Philippine Ports Authority, the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement units will be set up at all ports.

Port authorities will install QR codes, which passengers may scan to report suspicious people, overloading of ships or insufficient number of life jackets and safety equipment.