The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will be on heightened alert from October 29 to November 3, in preparation for the expected surge in sea passengers during Undas 2026, PCG spokesperson Commodore Noemi Caybyab said on Tuesday.
During an interview on DZRH's Damdaming Bayan, Caybyab said more than 17,000 personnel will be deployed nationwide to ensure the safety and security of passengers traveling to their respective provinces to observe All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
“Handang-handa na po ang Philippine Coast Guard simula po Oktubre 29 hanggang Nov. 3. We will be placing all our operating units in heightened alert status,” Caybyab said.
She said the heightened alert is in line with the directive of newly appointed PCG Admiral Commodore Rommel Supangan to ensure the safety and security of passengers during the holiday period.
The deployment will include personnel from the PCG’s Deployable Response Group, which is composed of rescue swimmers and medical teams ready to respond to emergencies.
The agency is expecting up to two million sea passengers nationwide this year, up from the 1.5 million passengers recorded during the same period in 2025.
“We will be expecting up to 2 million passengers nationwide ating make-cater ngayon,” Caybyab said.
In coordination with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the PCG will also establish Passenger Assistance Desks in ports to provide travel information and medical assistance to passengers.
The desks will be staffed by medical teams capable of providing immediate emergency assistance, with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and various law enforcement agencies also involved in the preparations.
The PCG will conduct mandatory pre-departure inspections of passenger vessels to check compliance with safety requirements, particularly fire safety measures, life-saving equipment such as life jackets, and passenger capacity limits.
Caybyab stressed that vessels and motorboats would not be allowed to carry passengers beyond their authorized capacity.
“Wala po tayong papayagan na anumang mga barko o even ‘yung mga motorboats na magsasakay po ng mga pasahero na lagpas po sa kanilang kapasidad,” she said.
The agency will also intensify luggage inspections to prevent prohibited items, including sharp objects, flammable materials and explosives, from being brought aboard vessels.
Coast Guard Sea Marshals will likewise be deployed on long-haul vessels to strengthen security and monitor passenger safety during voyages.
Meanwhile, the PCG will introduce its electronic reporting system, called “eSumbong,” through QR codes installed in passenger terminals and aboard ships.
Cayabyab said the system will allow passengers to report safety concerns directly to the nearest PCG unit, providing an additional channel for reporting incidents and potential violations during the Undas travel period.
