UNDAS 2025: Security tightened at NAIA as airport braces for exodus

Security has been tightened at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) ahead of an expected surge in passenger volume on Friday, October 31, the start of the Undas break. 

According to Mark Salazar’s report in “24 Oras” on Thursday, up to 1.3 million travelers are expected to go through NAIA during the long weekend observance of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.

Personnel from the Philippine National Police’s Explosives and Ordnance Division and K-9 units are roaming around the airport, while there is also no holiday break for airport operations staff at the country’s main gateway. 

Among the travelers is Lani, who is returning to Negros Oriental after six years to visit the gravesite of her child, who died in 2019. 

“Naaksidente po siya sa motor, 2019. Bale 16 siya nung time na ‘yun, Grade 11 po,” she shared. 

(He got into a motor accident in 2019. He was only 16 and a Grade 11 student at that time.) 

Meanwhile, the trip of Ronnel Sombrero and his family is special for them as they will be visiting for the first time in 25 years.

“Nami-miss din namin yung pinanggalingang lugar namin,” he said.

(We miss where we came from.) 

Passengers are highly advised to arrive early at the airport to avoid any inconvenience. In the case of Neil San Valentin, he and his family were supposed to be at Roxas City already if only they didn’t miss their flight. 

“Dahilan po nang naligaw yung driver namin tsaka traffic,” he said, adding that they had to check-in first in a hotel after rebooking their flight the next morning. 

(Our driver got lost on the road and it was also traffic.) 

On other hand, some millennials and Gen Zs already paid respects to their departed loved ones ahead of the Undas season. 

“Nauna na, nagsindi na kami ng kandila bago umalis,” said RJ Cuentas. 

(We already did that early, we already lit candles before our trip.) 

For the “late bloomers”, they also took advantage of the holiday to take a break. 

“This is my gift for myself, because I'll be turning 65 this December,” said Ofelia Custodio. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BM, GMA Integrated News