Manila Port tightens safety measures for Undas 2026 amid passenger surge

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Tighter safety measures are being implemented at the Manila Port amid this year’s exodus for Undas, following a RoRo vessel that listed to its right in Real, Quezon, on Friday morning.

In a "24 Oras report by Ian Cruz, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) conducted thorough inspections at the port to ensure that cargo on the vessels is properly secured.

“Binigyan na po natin ng instruction ang ating mga inspector na busisiin nang maigi ‘yung mga cargo lalong-lalo na itong mga rolling cargo o mga sasakyan na sakay ng vessel, na siguraduhing nakatali at maayos dahil konting galaw lang po ng barko maaari po ‘yang mag-move at ma-outbalance ang barko pwede po siyang tumagilid,” Coast Guard Station Manila Deputy Commander P/Lt. Luther Quela said.

(We have already instructed our inspectors to meticulously check cargo—especially rolling cargo or vehicles on board the vessel—to ensure they are properly tied down and secured, because even a slight movement of the ship can cause them to shift, unbalance the vessel, and cause it to list.)

Several passengers at the port chose to travel by ship to save on fare and bring more luggage.

“Ang ticket namin for 3 pax nasa 12 [thousand] eh. On the way pa lang,” said Fatima Belarmino, a passenger bound for Cebu.

She added that traveling by airplane would require a budget of P10,000 per person.

Meanwhile, couple Rosanna Layson and Rick Moulton chose to take a ship so they could bring three carts of baggage to Palawan.

“Sa barko madadala namin lahat ng gamit namin sa bahay, durabox, mga chair. Hindi naman namin madadala lahat yan sa airplane,” Layson said.

(On a ship, we can bring all our household items, plastic storage boxes, and chairs. We wouldn't be able to bring all of that on an airplane.)

“Plane is quicker, that’s for sure, but it will be an interesting experience,” Moulton added.

Passenger turnout this year was lower compared to last year, according to the North Port manager. On Friday, passenger volume reached over 1,100.

At the Batangas Port, passenger numbers were also low. From midnight to 4 a.m. on Friday, only over 2,100 passengers arrived, alongside 358 rolling cargoes.

On Thursday, passengers departing from the Batangas pier reached 7,000, compared to 12,000 passengers in 2025.

“Matumal pa ang pagdating ng pasahero ngayon, compared noong isang taon. Nagmahal talaga ang pamasahe. Mauunawaan naman natin ang mga shipping lines because alam naman natin na mataas na ang presyo ng produktong petrolyo,” Batangas Port Manager Aurora Mendoza said.

(Passenger arrivals are still slow today compared to last year. Fares have genuinely increased. We can understand the shipping lines because we know that petroleum product prices are high.)

The PCG reminded the public that shipping companies do not allow the boarding of electric or hybrid vehicles on ships as part of heightened safety precautions.–Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/LFG, MGA