Stricter transport safety, security checks sought

MANILA, Philippines — Senate committee on public services chairman Sen. Raffy Tulfo has urged agencies to ensure the safety of millions of people expected to travel to their provinces during the Undas holiday, calling for stricter inspections of public utility vehicles and tighter security at airports and seaports.

During a recent committee hearing, Tulfo directed the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to ensure that passenger buses are roadworthy before being allowed to operate.

Inspections should cover properly functioning brakes, worn-out tires and drug testing for drivers, while colorum buses should be prohibited from operating, he said.

“Even when it is not Undas, the LTO should still conduct regular inspections,” Tulfo said.

He also raised concerns about airport security, with more than 1.25 million passengers expected to travel during Undas 2026.

He cited the robbery of French national Anthony Boukhors, who lost luxury watches at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1, where some closed-circuit television cameras were reportedly not operational.

Tulfo called for all CCTV cameras to be working before the holiday rush and for adequate security personnel to be deployed throughout airport premises to respond promptly to incidents and deter criminals.

The senator also urged the Maritime Industry Authority, Philippine Ports Authority and Philippine Coast Guard to ensure that vessels comply with safety standards before sailing, including sufficient life jackets, passenger capacity limits, proper cargo weight limits and accurate passenger manifests.

“No life should be lost due to negligence,” he stressed.

President Marcos has ordered government agencies to ensure the safety and convenience of Filipinos traveling to their provinces and visiting cemeteries to observe All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

“This Undas, many of our fellow Filipinos will go home to their respective provinces and visit cemeteries to remember and pray for their loved ones. We are ensuring that their travel and visit will be safe, smooth, and convenient,” Marcos said in a video message on Friday.

According to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), more than one million passengers have passed through the landport ahead of the Undas weekend.

Between Oct. 25 and 29, the terminal recorded 931,225 passengers. Another 137,807 were added as of 5 p.m. on Friday, for a total of 1,069,032.

PITX projects 1.9 million passengers from Oct. 25 to Nov. 4, down from the 2.1 million recorded last year.

The President said the government was ensuring that Filipinos would have safe, orderly and convenient trips during the observance.

The Maritime Industry Authority has issued relaxation orders and special permits allowing flexible shipping schedules and additional ferry trips from Oct. 29 to Nov. 3 to accommodate increased passenger demand on selected routes.

Likewise, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has also issued more than 1,000 special permits for additional bus trips, while the Department of Transportation and its attached agencies are inspecting airports, seaports and bus terminals.

Marcos said 24-hour help desks are available at major transport terminals from Oct. 29 to Nov. 3.

Airport immigration counters will also have enough personnel on duty from Oct. 30 to Nov. 3 to prevent long lines, with digital systems such as eGates to be used to speed up processing.

He also directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to deploy personnel to cemeteries and columbaria to maintain peace and order.

In response, the PNP has tightened security at cemeteries, memorial parks and transport hubs nationwide, deploying more than 141,000 police officers and force multipliers to secure 5,311 cemeteries and columbaria, major thoroughfares, transportation hubs, places of worship, tourist destinations and other areas where people are expected to gather.

“We will ensure that our personnel remain visible, approachable, and ready to respond to every request for assistance, especially from children, senior citizens and other vulnerable individuals,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.

The PNP will remain on full alert until Nov. 3.

As Filipinos prepare to visit their departed loved ones, Catholic Church officials reminded the public to treat cremated remains with respect and follow Church guidelines on their proper disposition.

Taytay, Palawan Bishop Broderick Pabillo warned against taking portions of a loved one’s ashes to make necklaces or other personal mementos, saying families should respect the integrity of the remains.

“We should respect the integrity of the deceased… ‘I’ll take some parts of the ashes’  – that’s not right. It’s like we’re cutting parts of the body,” Pabillo said in an interview with Radyo Veritas.

He encouraged families visiting cemeteries on Nov. 1, which falls on a Sunday this year, to pray and attend mass together, saying the observance also offers an opportunity for families and relatives to reunite.

“I hope we can strengthen this even more through our collective prayers, especially this year, Nov. 1 is a Sunday, let’s go to church,” he said.

The Archdiocese of Manila has also issued guidelines on the proper treatment of cremated remains as part of the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

In Circular 2026-100, the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission provided prayers for the departed in English and Filipino that may be used at home or when visiting cemeteries and columbaria.

The guidelines aim to deepen the faithful’s understanding of Church teachings and foster respect for the remains of departed loved ones in keeping with Christian belief.  — Bella Cariaso, Emmanuel Tupas, EJ Macababbad

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