Quezon city: All transportation hubs across the country are ready for the expected influx of Holy Week travelers. In a press conference in Camp Crame, Quezon City, acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez stated that various government agencies are collaborating to ensure the safety and comfort of motorists.
According to Philippines News Agency, the whole-of-government approach in making the Holy Week exodus safe for the public complies with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to ensure the availability of public transportation and unhampered flow of traffic. Lopez emphasized the cooperation with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Philippine National Police (PNP), Land Transportation Office (LTO), and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to remove any obstructions along the highways.
More than five million passengers are expected to visit various transport hubs across the country during the period. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has activated 17,000 personnel and has placed all units on full alert since Saturday. Lopez highlighted the importance of maintaining order, safety, and protection for commuters at airports, seaports, bus terminals, and railway stations. The PCG has been instructed to pre-position vessels in high-volume passenger areas and ports to provide free rides to stranded passengers if necessary.
Lopez identified Marinduque, Batangas, and Calapan as areas where coastguards are ready to assist. Meanwhile, the Light Rail Transit Lines 1 and 2 (LRT-1 and LRT-2) and the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) will undergo annual maintenance and will be offline from Maundy Thursday until Easter Sunday. However, the EDSA Busway will remain operational 24/7, along with other modes of transport like jeepneys and transport network vehicle services (TNVS).
To accommodate commuters heading to the provinces, the LTFRB has issued 1,297 special permits to passenger bus operators. The LTFRB has also advised motorists to remain calm to prevent road rage incidents during the anticipated increase in travelers. Additionally, the Philippine Ports Authority recently announced the expansion of its Online Reservation Assistance System (ORAS) to include more ports nationwide, providing a standardized online booking system for maritime passengers.
