The different agencies under the Department of Transportation are on heightened alert for the expected influx of passengers traveling to the provinces during the Holy Week break.
This, as Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade directed all offices and agencies under the DOTr to ensure that motorists and passengers will have a secure, convenient, and comfortable travel experience whether by land, sea, or air from March 22 to April 5.
“It is important that passengers are comfortable and safe. We have expected that there will be a lot of people and the terminals will be busy, but our passengers should feel that we are taking care of them,” Tugade said in a statement.
Under DOTr’s Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Semana Santa 2018, all attached agencies will implement 24/7 operations and provide real-time regular updates on the status of incidents.
All booths, counters, and centers serving passengers must also be properly manned during all operating hours to lessen the queues.
A “no leave, no day-off” policy will also be implemented among airport personnel.
Public advisories such as safety tips, common types of violations at expressways, documentation requirements, and safety and security regulations at airports, seaports, and other transportation hubs will also be sent out to provide information to all travelers.
Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Semana Santa 2018 tarpaulins and various information materials will be posted in public areas to inform travelers on safety and security precautions.
Websites and social media platforms are also to be updated in all matters concerning the Oplan for proper monitoring.
The DOTr Action Center hotline 7890 will also be available throughout the Holy Week.
Meanwhile, the Metro Manila Development Authority has advised motorists and commuters to brace for heavy traffic on Epifanio de los Santos Avenue where road reblocking and repair works will be made during weekends this summer.
This developed shortly after the MMDA gave private contractors of the Department of Public Works and Highways the go signal to begin with the series of road works starting this weekend, March 23-26 up to June 1-4, 2018.
“Areas covered by the repairs are the stretch of Aurora Boulevard to P. Tuazon on the southbound side and Nepa Q-Mart to Kamuning area on the northbound side,” said MMDA acting general manager Jose Arturo Garcia Jr.
Based on agreed schedule, road repairs will only be done from Friday, 11 pm up to Monday, 5 am.
According to Garcia, the concrete re-blocking activities will only be done one lane per every segment, assuring the public that EDSA would remain passable.
He, however, said the motorists and the commuting public are advised to expect traffic slowdown due to closure of affected portions.
Based on records, around 300,000 vehicles are traversing EDSA daily.
The MMDA gave its clearance for the repair works on badly damaged areas on EDSA while there is a low volume of vehicles in the metropolis and schoolchildren are out on school vacation.
Motorists are encouraged to use Mabuhay Lanes and other alternative routes to avoid being caught in traffic.
“We always tell the public that any kind of obstruction will cause traffic on EDSA. This early we want the public to know about this road repair and maintenance work so they can plan their trips ahead,” said Garcia.
He said clearing operations to remove illegally parked vehicles would remain so as to provide alternative roads for affected motorists.
The MMDA assured the public the agency is managing the timing of numerous road projects in Metro Manila and is taking steps to avoid the overlaps that could lead to gridlocks on major thoroughfares
The agency urged the DPWH to closely monitor their contractors to prevent them working beyond their approved schedules so as not to cause unnecessary public inconvenience.
In a related development, the Philippine National Police (PNP) assured that it is ready to respond to emergencies during the summer months through the implementation of its security plan dubbed 'Ligtas SUMVAC 2018'.
PNP Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said the 90-day security plan, which will officially start on Friday, will be in effect during the Holy Week break and the closing of the school year from March to April; the festivals and Flores de Mayo season in May; and will extend until the opening of classes in June.
“There have been no validated reports of terrorist threats in Metro Manila while security forces and the intelligence network are continuously monitoring and doing their jobs,” dela Rosa added.
During the period, security personnel will conduct mandatory security checks at airports, seaports, and bus terminals against criminal and terrorist elements.
Meanwhile, Oplan Bantay-Lakbay Police Assistance Centers will be placed on the entire stretch of Maharlika Highway and other major thoroughfares, while the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) will spearhead road safety operations in coordination with territorial units.
The PNP will field more security personnel and establish assistance desks in seaports and in all domestic and international airports nationwide.
In Metro Manila, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will spearhead the Oplan Bantay-Lakbay in coordination with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and other concerned government agencies.
The PNP urges the public to stay vigilant even as it assured that enough personnel are on standby and ready to respond to any situation.
The PNP National Operations Center in Camp Crame will serve as the hub and nerve center of all nationwide operations under Oplan Bantay-Lakbay. With PNA