Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista earlier ordered line agencies to guarantee the safety and comfort of passengers as Filipinos flock to cemeteries and other tourism sites over the long weekend. Photo courtesy: Mark Demayo
THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) and its line agencies completed necessary preparations and are ready for the post-pandemic resumption of the exodus of Filipinos to the provinces to commemorate All Saints and All Souls Days on November 1.
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista earlier ordered line agencies to guarantee the safety and comfort of passengers as Filipinos flock to cemeteries and other tourism sites over the long weekend.
“We ordered the transport sectors and attached agencies under DOTr to ensure that passengers can comfortably and safely return to their provinces as they observe All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days this 2022,” Secretary Bautista said.
With the expected influx of passengers, more personnel will be deployed at airports, rail stations, seaports and roads to handle passenger concerns, Secretary Bautista added.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) already requested additional deployment of personnel from airline stakeholders to accommodate the increase in travelers. The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), meanwhile, will deploy units to assist passengers at their Help Desks.
The Office for Transportation Security (OTS) ordered enhanced security measures across all transportation facilities such as airports, seaports, bus terminals and rail stations.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Railways (PNR), Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRT-1) and Light Rail Transit Authority (LRT-2) and DOTr MRT-3 will continue to operate on regular hours to service more passengers.
LRT-1 schedule starts from 4:30 AM, with the last train from Baclaran leaving at 9:15 PM, and Balintawak at 9:30PM. LRT-2 starts service at 5 AM at both Antipolo and Recto stations, with the last train from Antipolo departing 9 PM and 9:30 PM at Recto.
Rail line MRT-3, meanwhile, will operate on regular holiday/weekend schedule on October 29 to November 1. North Avenue Station will start service at 4:38AM, while Taft Ave. will serve passengers at 5:19AM.
Last trips for North Ave. and Taft Ave. will be at 9.30PM and 10:09PM, respectively.
Upon the orders of Secretary Bautista, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has placed seaports on heightened alert status and directed all port managers to coordinate with maritime authorities and government agencies to ensure safety and security of passengers.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), for its part, had directed its operating units and other personnel to be on “heightened alert” in the country’s western and eastern seaboards, as well as inter-island routes to ensure maritime security and safety.
The PCG will utilize deployable response groups (DRGs) and PCG Auxiliary volunteers to augment regular personnel.
Meanwhile, additional buses and jeepneys will be deployed to accommodate more passengers, according to Secretary Bautista.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and Land Transportation Office-Philippines (LTO) will also assign additional personnel at Integrated Terminal Exchanges (ITX), bus and jeepney terminals and other major thoroughfares to manage traffic.
The DOTr is directing its agencies to strictly enforce compliance to minimum health protocols while inside terminals and facilities, while sectoral Malasakit or Help Desks will also be available to assist passengers.
