DOTr on heightened alert for opening of classes on June 3
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Friday placed all transportation hubs in the country on heightened alert in preparation for the expected heavy traffic on June 3 for the opening of classes.
DOTr said its chief Arthur Tugade has ordered all sectoral offices and attached agencies to ensure the safe and orderly commute of students and teachers.
“Ayaw ‘ho natin ng dagdag na aberya sa pagbabalik-eskwela ng ating mga mag-aaral (We do not want to encounter problems when students return to school),” Tugade said in a statement.
“Titiyakin po nating may pampublikong transportasyong masasakyan ang mga estudyante’t guro para sila’y tututok na lamang sa panibagong yugto ng edukasyon (We are going to ensure that public transportation is available for students and teachers),” he added.
The DOTr’s program, “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Balik-Eskwela,” started Monday, May 27, and will end next Saturday, June 8.
Under a heightened alert status, the different member agencies of the DOTr are tasked to ensure the 24/7 operations of action centers in all transport hubs, particularly terminals and train stations.
The agencies are also ordered to frequently update their websites and social media accounts regarding the situation in these transportation hubs and monitor commuter complaints.
The DOTr said it will ensure that all ticket booths will be properly manned so that long queues will be avoided.
Meanwhile, the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT-3) will add security measures in all its stations. The train system will implement a timetable for their trains.
On weekends, MRT-3 will run 12 trains with headways of 8.5 minutes. The first southbound train will leave North Avenue at 4:59 a.m. while the last train will leave at 9:10 p.m. Meanwhile, the first northbound train will leave Taft Avenue station at 5:51 a.m. and the last train will leave at 10:01 p.m.
On weekdays (June 3 to 7), the DOTr said 15 MRT-3 trains will run with headways of seven minutes. The first southbound train will leave North Avenue station at 4:59 a.m. while the last will leave at 9:10 p.m.
Meanwhile, the first northbound train will leave Taft Avenue station at 5:50 a.m. and the last trip will be at 10:10 pm.
All agencies and sectoral offices are ordered to submit their reports on their operations on June 12, the DOTr said. (Editor: Eden Estopace)
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