As the country prepares for the annual Undas observance, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has instructed key government agencies to step up security protocols, secure sufficient transport options, and ready emergency support for travelers bracing for heavy holiday traffic.
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto issued directives to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and other relevant bodies to proactively handle the surge of commuters at airports, seaports, and land terminals.
To manage the expected influx, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) projects between 1.5 million and two million sea travelers during the holiday period, operating its “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Undas 2026” deployment from October 29 through November 3.
Heightened Transport and Relief Measures
Under the government directive, the DOTr is tasked with securing adequate public transit, which includes fielding extra buses on high-demand routes and utilizing backup sea vessels to transport passengers stranded at ports when regular schedules fall short.
Emergency relief is also on standby, with the DSWD preparing food, clean water, and supplies for commuters delayed by adverse weather or travel bottlenecks, alongside medical teams and emergency assistance provided by the Department of Health.
Emphasizing the administration’s goals for the holiday exodus, Recto noted: “Ang gusto ng Pangulo, ligtas ang bawat biyahe at may agarang tulong kapag kailangan. Hindi sapat na maraming masasakyan. Dapat sigurado rin tayong ligtas ang mga pasahero sa kalsada, sa pantalan at sa mga terminal.”
Enhanced Security and Road Safety
Security has been significantly scaled up with directives for increased police presence and the deployment of K-9 units across major transport hubs and crowded public zones. Law enforcement is also coordinating with local government units to maintain public order.
In an effort to keep roads safe, authorities are pursuing preventive safety checks, including proposals for random drug testing among public transport drivers. The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has already initiated random screenings at bus terminals as part of its ongoing road safety operations.
Additionally, agencies have been instructed to provide accessible travel advisories and prioritize assistance for vulnerable groups, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, and families traveling with young children.
The executive secretary stressed that easing the travel process is vital to shielding citizens—who are already managing high fuel and commodity costs—from unnecessary burdens during the holiday season.