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The Department of Transportation says it is prepared for the exodus of Filipinos going home to the provinces this weekend for All Saints and All Souls Days
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With the expected influx of passengers, more personnel will be deployed at airports, rail stations, seaports and roads to handle passenger concerns
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and its attached agencies are prepared for the exodus of Filipinos going home to the provinces to observe All Saints and All Souls Days.
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista earlier ordered transport agencies to guarantee the safety and comfort of passengers who will flock to cemeteries and tourism sites during the long weekend from October 29 to November 1.
With the expected influx of passengers, more personnel will be deployed at airports, rail stations, seaports and roads to handle passenger concerns, Bautista said in a statement.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has already requested deployment of additional personnel from airlines to accommodate the increase in traveller numbers. The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) will also deploy units at help desks to assist passengers.
The Office for Transportation Security has been ordered to enhance security measures across all transportation facilities such as airports, seaports, bus terminals and rail stations.
In the rail sector, the Philippine National Railways, Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRT-1), Light Rail Transit Authority (LRT-2) and Metro Rail Transit-3 (MRT-3) will continue to operate during 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 and its counterpart leaving Recto at 9:30 PM.
MRT-3, meanwhile, will operate on regular holiday/weekend schedule from 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.
In the maritime sector, the Philippine Ports Authority has placed seaports on heightened alert status and directed all port managers to coordinate with maritime authorities and government agencies to ensure the safety and security of passengers.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), for its part, has directed its operating units and other personnel to be on “heightened alert” in the country’s western and eastern seaboards, as well as on inter-island routes, to ensure maritime security and safety.
The PCG will utilize deployable response groups and PCG auxiliary volunteers to augment regular personnel.
On land transport, additional buses and jeepneys will be deployed to accommodate more passengers.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and Land Transportation Office-Philippines will also assign additional personnel at integrated terminal exchanges, bus and jeepney terminals, and other major thoroughfares to manage traffic.
DOTr has also directed its agencies to strictly enforce compliance with minimum health protocols while inside terminals and facilities. Sectoral help desks will also be available to assist passengers.
