Elevated ticket costs and stringent cargo enforcement have contributed to noticeably lower passenger turnouts across major maritime terminals during the Undas 2026 holiday rush.
At Batangas Port, passenger departures dropped to around 7,000 on Thursday compared to 12,000 recorded in 2025, alongside moderate arrivals logging over 2,100 passengers and 358 rolling cargo units between midnight and 4 a.m. Friday.
“Passenger arrivals are still slow today compared to last year. Fares have really increased. We can understand the shipping lines because we know that petroleum product prices are high,” Batangas Port Manager Aurora Mendoza said.
Turnout also slowed at Manila Port’s North Port, where passenger volume reached over 1,100 on Friday.
Despite the lower volume, maritime authorities intensified cargo security checks following a Friday morning incident in Real, Quezon, where a roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessel listed to its right.
In a report by Ian Cruz on “24 Oras,” Coast Guard personnel conducted rigorous on-site checks to guarantee that all onboard freight and vehicles were firmly tied down.
“We have already instructed our inspectors to meticulously check cargo, especially rolling cargo or vehicles aboard vessels, and ensure they are properly tied down and secured. Even a slight movement of the ship could cause them to shift, unbalance the vessel, and cause it to list,” Philippine Coast Guard Station Manila Deputy Commander P/Lt. Luther Quela said.
The Coast Guard also reiterated that shipping companies strictly prohibit electric and hybrid vehicles aboard passenger vessels as part of reinforced safety protocols.
For budget-conscious travelers and those transporting extensive baggage, sea transit remained the primary option despite fare hikes.
Fatima Belarmino, a passenger bound for Cebu, noted that flight options would have required P10,000 per person.
“Our tickets for three passengers cost around P12,000, and we’re still on our way,” Belarmino said.
Similarly, couple Rosanna Layson and Rick Moulton opted to travel by ship to bring three carts of household items to Palawan.
“On a ship, we can bring all our household items, plastic storage boxes, and chairs. We wouldn’t be able to bring all of that on an airplane,” Layson said.
“Plane is quicker, that’s for sure, but it will be an interesting experience,” Moulton added.