The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has directed all port managers to ensure the availability of sufficient numbers of its personnel in anticipation of the influx of passengers for the All Saints and All Souls’ Days.
PPA General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago said they expect around 1.6 million passengers to troop to various ports across the country to honor their departed loved ones and take advantage of the long break.
“We want to ensure that there will be a sufficient number of personnel to man port operations and to ensure the security of the passengers in the ports,” said Santiago.
The influx of passengers is expected to be on Thursday, Oct. 31, after President Marcos declared a half-day of work in all government offices to give more time for government employees to travel to their hometowns.
Santiago said all leaves of absence were also canceled from Oct. 25 to Nov. 4.
The Philippine national Police (PNP) earlier said that they will be deploying thousands of policemen across the country to man police assistance desks in cemeteries and other places of convergence that include sea ports, airports and bus terminals.
All police regional commanders were given the authority to declare the appropriate security alert status in their respective areas.
In Metro Manila, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said it will be deploying 18,132 policemen and force multipliers in strategic areas in Metro Manila that includes cemeteries, memorial parks and transportation hubs.
NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Sidney Sultan Hernia said the move is a proactive approach to ensuring public safety and maintaining order for All Saints' and All Souls' Days, locally referred to as “Undas”.
Leading the deployment are 12,540 NCRPO personnel, supported by 1,885 Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) members, 2,450 force multipliers, and 1,257 Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) personnel.
“The deployment aims to address security and public safety, with additional personnel ensuring smooth operations in transport terminals and major thoroughfares,” said Hernia.
A total of 76 cemeteries and 58 columbaria will be monitored in Metro Manila, according to Hernia.
He said additional security measures include 692 law enforcement checkpoints across significant access points, 819 personnel deployed to monitor transportation hubs, and 426 road safety marshals positioned to ease traffic flow along major thoroughfares. Quick Reaction and Quick Response Forces (QRT/QRF), including specialized Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and K9 units, are on standby to handle emergencies and ensure immediate response if necessary.
"We are fully prepared to ensure a safe and peaceful observance of ‘Undas’ for all. Our personnel are strategically deployed to cover all critical areas, and we will be on high alert to swiftly respond to any incidents,” said Hernia.