The ferry was about 2.2 kilometers off the coast of the tourist-rich province of Palawan on Wednesday evening when a fire broke out on board. More than 80 people were initially reported missing, and 43 survivors were brought ashore.
On Friday, Philippine authorities announced that the remains of the deceased had begun to be recovered.
The ferry was en route from the capital Manila to the town of Coron when the fire broke out. A survivor reported hearing an explosion from the ferry's cargo hold.
Video clips from the scene show the ferry partially engulfed in flames.
