Stricter transport safety, security checks sought

MANILA, Philippines– Senate committee on civil services chairman Sen. Raffy Tulfo has actually prompted companies to guarantee the security of countless individuals anticipated to take a trip to their provinces throughout the Undas vacation, requiring more stringent evaluations of utility automobiles and tighter security at airports and seaports.

Throughout a current committee hearing, Tulfo directed the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to make sure that traveler buses are roadworthy before being enabled to run.

Examinations must cover appropriately working brakes, damaged tires and drug screening for motorists, while colorum buses must be restricted from operating, he stated.

“Even when it is not Undas, the LTO needs to still perform routine examinations,” Tulfo stated.

He likewise raised issues about airport security, with more than 1.25 million guests anticipated to take a trip throughout Undas 2026.

He pointed out the burglary of French nationwide Anthony Boukhors, who lost high-end watches at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1, where some closed-circuit tv electronic cameras were apparently not functional.

Tulfo required all CCTV electronic cameras to be working before the vacation rush and for appropriate security workers to be released throughout airport facilities to react without delay to events and hinder bad guys.

The senator likewise prompted the Maritime Industry Authority, Philippine Ports Authority and Philippine Coast Guard to make sure that vessels adhere to security requirements before cruising, consisting of enough life vest, guest capability limitations, appropriate freight weight limitations and precise traveler manifests.

“No life must be lost due to carelessness,” he worried.

President Marcos orders precaution

President Marcos has actually bought federal government companies to make sure the security and benefit of Filipinos taking a trip to their provinces and going to cemeteries to observe All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

“This Undas, a number of our fellow Filipinos will go home to their particular provinces and check out cemeteries to keep in mind and wish their liked ones. We are guaranteeing that their travel and go to will be safe, smooth, and hassle-free,” Marcos stated in a video message on Friday.

According to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), more than one million travelers have actually gone through the landport ahead of the Undas weekend.

In between Oct. 25 and 29, the terminal taped 931,225 travelers. Another 137,807 were included since 5 p.m. on Friday, for an overall of 1,069,032.

PITX jobs 1.9 million travelers from Oct. 25 to Nov. 4, below the 2.1 million tape-recorded in 2015.

The President stated the federal government was making sure that Filipinos would have safe, organized and practical journeys throughout the observance.

The Maritime Industry Authority has actually released relaxation orders and unique authorizations enabling versatile shipping schedules and extra ferryboat journeys from Oct. 29 to Nov. 3 to accommodate increased traveler need on picked paths.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has actually likewise released more than 1,000 unique licenses for extra bus journeys, while the Department of Transportation and its connected companies are examining airports, seaports and bus terminals.

Marcos stated 24-hour assistance desks are readily available at significant transportation terminals from Oct. 29 to Nov. 3.

Airport migration counters will likewise have adequate workers on task from Oct. 30 to Nov. 3 to avoid long lines, with digital systems such as eGates to be utilized to accelerate processing.

He likewise directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to release workers to cemeteries and columbaria to preserve peace and order.

In reaction, the PNP has actually tightened up security at cemeteries, boneyard and transportation centers across the country, releasing more than 141,000 law enforcement officers and force multipliers to protect 5,311 cemeteries and columbaria, significant roads, transport centers, locations of praise, traveler locations and other locations where individuals are anticipated to collect.

“We will guarantee that our workers stay noticeable, friendly, and prepared to react to every ask for help, specifically from kids, elderly people and other susceptible people,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. stated.

The PNP will stay on complete alert up until Nov. 3.

Church: Treat ashes with regard

As Filipinos prepare to visit their left liked ones, Catholic Church authorities advised the general public to deal with cremated stays with regard and follow Church standards on their correct personality.

Taytay, Palawan Bishop Broderick Pabillo alerted versus taking parts of an enjoyed one’s ashes to make pendants or other individual keepsakes, stating households need to appreciate the stability of the remains.

“We must appreciate the stability of the departed … ‘I’ll take some parts of the ashes’ — that’s not. It’s like we’re cutting parts of the body,” Pabillo stated in an interview with Radyo Veritas.

He motivated households checking out cemeteries on Nov. 1, which falls on a Sunday this year, to hope and go to mass together, stating the observance likewise uses a chance for households and loved ones to reunite.

“I hope we can reinforce this a lot more through our cumulative prayers, specifically this year, Nov. 1 is a Sunday, let’s go to church,” he stated.

The Archdiocese of Manila has actually likewise provided standards on the correct treatment of cremated remains as part of the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

In Circular 2026-100, the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission offered prayers for the left in English and Filipino that might be utilized in your home or when going to cemeteries and columbaria.

The standards intend to deepen the faithful’s understanding of Church mentors and foster regard for the remains of left enjoyed ones in keeping with Christian belief. — Bella Cariaso, Emmanuel Tupas, EJ Macababbad