The government will adopt a “whole-of-nation approach” to ensure safety and smooth travel during Holy Week when millions are expected to troop to the provinces, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Tuesday.
“Kaming mga ahensya nagsama-sama at wala nang pasahan ng sisi dito. Lahat kami magkasama, lahat kami nagplano at iisa ang pakay namin, na ang pagbyahe at pagbabakasyon ng lahat ng ating mga motorista at manlalakbay ay magiging matiwasay at libre sa mga pinsala (We decided to unite to avoid finger pointing. Our plans have a common goal and that is to ensure that our motorists and vacationists are safe),” he said during a joint press briefing at Camp Crame.
Based on directives from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., authorities will prioritize guidance and prevention over penalties.
Remulla said intoxication in beach areas is the leading cause of Holy Week fatalities.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) placed all units on full alert and deployed 98,636 personnel nationwide.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the alert status will last until 11:59 p.m. on Easter Sunday.
“The job of the PNP is to maintain peace and order and at the same time, be ready for any emergency responses for public safety,” Nartatez said.
The police deployment is supported by 37,050 force multipliers and 12,507 augmentation units.
Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said about 150,000 passengers are expected daily at Ninoy Aquino International Airport this week.
Around three million passengers will pass through the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange and 2.6 million more through seaports from March 28 to April 5.
Lopez urged travelers to plan ahead to avoid inconveniences.
“Kung maiiwasan natin hangga’t maaari na maging chance passenger sa ating mga pantalan, mas mainam na planuhin natin nang mas maaga ‘yung ating pagbabyahe at bumili kayo ng ticket online kaysa maghintay tayo ng matagal sa ating pantalan (If we can, if possible, let’s avoid being chance passengers in our ports. It’s better to plan our trips in advance and buy tickets online to save time at ports),” he said.
The Philippine Coast Guard is likewise on full alert, deploying about 17,000 personnel to secure transport hubs.
Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said construction projects nationwide have been temporarily suspended to ease travel.
“Ang instruction natin sa lahat ng district engineer saka regional offices, walang ongoing [projects] dapat (Our instruction to all district engineers and regional offices is that there should be no ongoing projects),” he said.
The suspension, ordered over the weekend, will run until Easter Sunday.
Dizon said the order also aims to reduce fuel use amid rising costs and supply concerns linked to the Middle East conflict.
Holy Week is the country’s most significant and busiest religious period, with millions traveling to provinces. (PNA)
