PPA tags 5 seaports as 'critical' for Undas 2025 travelers

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) on Tuesday tagged at least five seaports as “critical” amid the expected influx of passengers for Undas 2025.

PPA Spokesperson Eunice Samonte said Tuesday that among the ports with the expected highest number of travelers during the long weekend include Iloilo Port, Batangas Port and the Jordan Port in Guimaras.  

Also included were Calapan Port in Oriental Mindoro and the BREDCO Port in Bacolod City.

“Mayroon tayong tinitingnan na top five ports kabilang ang Port of Iloilo, Port of Jordan sa Guimaras, at Port of Batangas,” Samonte told Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon. 

(We are expecting the highest number of passengers at the Port of Iloilo, Port of Jordan in Guimaras, and Port of Batangas.)

“Mayroon din po tayong mataong lugar sa Port of Calapan at sa Port of BREDCO sa Bacolod. ‘Yan ang top five na pinakaraming ine-expect tayo this peak season sa Undas,” she added. 

(There is also an expected influx of passengers at the Port of Calapan and Port of BREDCO in Bacolod.)

Around 2.2 million passengers are expected to travel via ports during the Undas season from October 27 to November 5, according to the PPA. 

As part of their preparation, Samonte said a heightened alert was raised over the five seaports. The PPA also conducted a random drug test to all personnel nationwide and set up X-ray scanners in all 130 seaports to prevent the entry of prohibited items such as sharp objects, firecrackers, and flammable liquids.

Malasakit Help Desks have been set up in ports and at least 3,000 security personnel  were deployed to ensure public safety. 

“Kasama sa mga tinitingnan ngayon ay ang pagpapaigting ng online ticketing para pagdating ng mga pasahero, meron ng ticket at diretso na sila sa passenger terminal building,” Samonte added. 

(Among the security measures we are eyeing to implement is the strict implementation of online ticketing.)

During the 2024 Undas, the PPA said the highest number of passengers was reported at Iloilo Port with 218,916, followed by Jordan Port with 112,793, Batangas Port with 10,792, Calapan Port with 83,785 and BREDCO Port with 79,360.

In a related development, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) reminded passengers to refrain from making bomb jokes at the country’s airports. 

“Huwag gagawa ng bomb jokes sa loob ng airport or eroplano dahil maraming mapuperwisyo na pasahero,” CAAP Spokesperson Eric Apolonio said.

(Kindly refrain from making bomb jokes in airports or airplanes because it will affect all passengers.)

“Kapag nag-bomb joke kayo sa eroplano, ibababa lahat ng pasahero at bagahe is-screen uli. Napakalaking abala sa mga kasamahan ninyo,” he said. 

(When you make bomb jokes, all passengers will be mandated to exit the aircraft and the pieces of luggage will be re-screened.)

Apolonio reiterated that all airports nationwide were placed on a heightened alert status for the expected surge in passengers. 

At least 5.8 million passengers this year, a seven to 10 percent increase compared to the 4.8 million passengers recorded in 2024, who are expected to travel from October to November. —RF, GMA Integrated News