Safe homes, sacred weekend, PBBM vows
The government is leaving no stone unturned to ensure a smooth, hassle-free observance of the Undas 2026 long weekend, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said yesterday.
In terms of transportation, the President, in a video message on Friday, assured travelers that all airport immigration counters will have enough personnel on duty from 30 October to 3 November to avoid long queues, noting that the government is preparing measures to ensure safe and convenient travel for Filipinos going home to their provinces or traveling abroad.
Marcos said the government will increase the use of digital systems, including electronic gates (eGates), to speed up passenger processing and reduce wait times.
He also announced that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) released 1,000 special permits for additional buses to accommodate commuters traveling to their provinces during the Undas break.
The President assured round-the-clock passenger assistance at major transport terminals which are deploying 24-hour help desks from 29 October to 3 November.
He also said urgent repairs along major roads must be completed before the holidays to prevent traffic delays during the expected increase in travel.
Marcos said more than 2,000 Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) personnel will be deployed across Metro Manila to manage traffic and ensure the smooth flow of vehicles and pedestrians.
He said the deployment aims to ease traffic congestion, particularly along roads leading to cemeteries, memorial parks, churches, and other areas expected to experience increased activity during the holiday.
On emergency preparedness, Marcos assured the public that hospitals and health emergency response teams will be on alert for the observance of Undas, with government agencies and local government units coordinating to ensure a swift response to emergencies and other incidents.
The President directed the Philippine National Police to deploy personnel to cemeteries and columbaria to ensure public safety and maintain peace and order.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is on standby to respond to fire-related incidents.
Filipinos will troop to cemeteries nationwide to remember their loved ones on All Saints’ Day on 1 November and All Souls’ Day the following day.
Security tightened up
The PNP has mobilized more than 141,000 personnel and force multipliers nationwide to secure cemeteries, transport hubs, and major thoroughfares as millions of Filipinos travel to visit the graves of their departed loved ones.
PNP chief Police Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. ordered police units to set up assistance desks, intensify inspections, and conduct regular patrols to ensure public safety, manage traffic, and respond to emergencies.
Nartatez said assistance desks should provide comprehensive services in coordination with local government units and other stakeholders, including help in locating missing children, providing medical assistance and responding to emergencies.
He also directed police commanders to tighten security at cemetery entrances and conduct regular patrols to prevent theft, disturbances, and other violations, including drinking sessions and karaoke singing that could trigger disputes.
“We will ensure that our personnel remain visible, approachable, and ready to respond to every request for assistance, especially from children, senior citizens, and other vulnerable individuals,” Nartatez said.
Police commanders were also instructed to intensify neighborhood patrols and monitor residential areas where houses may be left unattended during the holiday break.