DOTr, LTFRB, LTO gear up for All Saints’ Day exodus

MANILA, Philippines — With thousands of people set to go home to their provinces for All Saints’ Day, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and its attached agencies have beefed up security measures and mobilized additional transport options.

The DOTr said it had directed those manning Malasakit Help Desks to prepare for the influx of passengers at transport hubs across the country. The desks serve as a one-stop shop for passenger assistance in airports, seaports, train stations and land terminals.

The Land Transportation Office, on the other hand, ordered the beefing up of inspections to weed out “colorum” vehicles and ensure that only roadworthy public transport would be allowed on the streets. Random drug tests on drivers and conductors would also be conducted.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board also granted 855 special permits to buses from Oct. 30 to Nov. 3 to ensure that there would be enough for passengers.