By Gabriela Baron
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista said the country’s transport sector is ready for the surge of travelers during the commemoration of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
Bautista said they added more aircraft, marine, and land vehicles to accommodate all the expected number of passengers.
“‘Yung ating airport, ready sila sa more flights. ‘Yung ating mga bus companies, ‘yung ating land transport, mayroon silang arrangement para magkaroon ng mas maraming buses and jeepneys,” Bautista said.
“‘Yung ating mga barko, lalong-lalo na sa Batangas going to Mindoro and the other destinations in South Luzon, ready sila para isuporta ‘yung pangangailangan ng ating mananakay para sa Undas,” he added.
‘Heightened alert’ in ports
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) CG Admiral Artemio Abu said he directed all operating units to be on “heightened alert” until Nov. 3.
“Our PCG Districts conduct 24/7 operations to monitor nautical highways routes, especially in the Visayas where the majority of tourist destinations are situated,” Abu said.
“I have instructed concerned units to ensure maritime security and safety in our western and eastern seaboards, as well as inter-island routes. Our deployable response groups (DRGs) and PCG Auxiliary volunteers are also augmenting these operations,” he added.
Abu said wester seaboard monitoring includes ports in Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Aklan, Iloilo, and Zamboanga regions.
Meanwhile, eastern seaboard monitoring covers ports in Manila, Bicol region, Samar, Leyte, and Surigao provinces.
“We have maritime safety inspectors in port terminals, law enforcement teams in strategic locations, maritime patrol teams in critical vicinity waters, and DRGs on standby for possible search and rescue missions during maritime incidents or emergencies,” Abu added.
NAIA gears up for Undas passengers
The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said it is prepared for the influx of passengers going to provinces or traveling overseas for Undas.
“To cope with the expected surge in passenger traffic this season, MIAA joins the DOTr in its preparations for the annual OPLAN Biyaheng Ayos this Undas and Christmas holidays,” MIAA said.
“A composite team of MIAA personnel from the public affairs, operations, police and medical units shall be available to assist passengers at the Oplan Help desks,” it added.
MIAA also assured that personnel from the Civil Aeronautics Boards will also be nearby to assist passengers.
Meanwhile, MIAA General Manager Cesar Ching said he directed the airport security group to increase foot patrol for more visibility to deter incidents of petty crimes in public areas.
Perimeter patrol will likewise be heightened and proper deployment of personnel will be observed at all times, according to Chiong.
