PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Friday government measures are in place to safeguard the safety of millions of Filipinos who will be traveling during the long All Saints’ Day weekend.
In a video message, Marcos said he has ordered the inspection of bus terminals and airports, as well as road repairs to ensure that the journey to the provinces or visiting cemeteries is “safe, orderly and comfortable.”
The president said the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has issued over 1,000 special permits for provincial buses during Undas, or All Saints’ Day, celebration, while maritime authorities have relaxed rules and additional sea schedules from Oct. 29 to Nov. 3.
At international airports, immigration counters will maintain full staffing from Oct. 30 to Nov. 3, supplemented by e-gates to streamline passenger queues. Round-the-clock help desks will likewise operate across major terminals.
Beyond transit hubs, security and health protocols have been tightened across public spaces, churches and columbaria, with local police and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) placed on standby for rapid response. Hospital and health emergency teams are also on high alert.
The president advised motorists to plan trips ahead, purchase tickets online to avoid long queues, and utilize official government hotlines and channels for emergency assistance.
The LTFRB said it has set up more than 80 help desks at bus stations and other public land transport hubs for Undas.
The help desks will provide not only basic information on travel schedules but also all necessary assistance, particularly for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, acting LTFRB Chairman Greg Pua Jr. said.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said close to 283,000 barangay tanods, or village watchmen, in the country’s 42,010 barangay (villages) and more than 111,000 police personnel will be deployed during All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
The DILG said the watchmen would serve as force multipliers for the police in maintaining peace and order at cemeteries, columbariums and memorial parks.
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian has called on national law enforcement agencies to enforce strict safety and security protocols nationwide during the extended weekend.
Gatchalian emphasized that a proactive, highly synchronized strategy between municipal executives and police units is critical to mitigating criminal activities, managing severe traffic gridlocks on major tollways, and ensuring crowd control at cemeteries and major transport hubs.
“The commemoration of our departed loved ones will be more meaningful if everyone’s journey is smooth and safe,” he said.
He also highlighted the importance of discipline, patience and road courtesy among motorists. “We already know that many people will be traveling during this period; let’s avoid getting hot-headed and remain respectful toward our fellow motorists,” he said.
In response to the expected exodus of commuters to provincial destinations, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. announced that the police force has been placed on full alert.
Over 72,000 police personnel will be deployed at critical arterial roads, terminal entry points and memorial sites, with reinforcements from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, BFP and the Philippine Coast Guard.
The Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange estimates a heavy volume of 1.9 million passengers, mirroring peak numbers anticipated across maritime provincial ports during Undas.
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport is also scaling up operations to accommodate approximately 1.2 million travelers.
The environmental advocacy group EcoWaste Coalition appealed to the public to observe eco-friendly and zero waste practices during the All Saints’ Day weekend.
“Every year, we see the aftermath of thousands flocking to cemeteries during Undas season — heaps of trash scattered along sidewalks, overflowing bins, food wrappers and containers left behind on tombstones — and every year, we continue to forward this campaign to reduce trash and make Undas completely waste-free,” Ochie Tolentino, EcoWaste’s Zero Waste campaigner, said in a statement.
EcoWaste also held a candle-lighting ceremony as a way to enjoin everyone in respecting not just their departed loved ones, but also the environment. Each candle signified a solemn vow to “do away with ecologically harmful practices and promote a more waste-free All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.”
