Amid Lent exodus, Poe warns: Violations of passengers’ rights to be dealt with
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Grace Poe has warned transportation operators that any violation of passenger rights during this Lenten Season exodus will be dealt with accordingly using existing laws and government regulations.
Poe, chairperson of the Senate committee on public services, issued the warning on Wednesday as thousands of travelers move from Metro Manila and its neighboring areas back to their respective provinces this Holy Week break.
According to the Senator, all systems in different transportation modes should already be operational for the long weekend.
“All systems should be in place as the majority of travelers hit the road at the start of the Holy Week holidays,” Poe said.
“Any violations of the rights of passengers will be dealt with by relevant laws and government regulations,” she added.
Poe further noted that the movement during the Lenten Season — which usually starts between Monday to Wednesday before Maundy Thursday — is a yearly occurrence, which means transportation operators and authorities should be prepared for it already.
“The surge of passengers in bus terminals, seaports, and airports during this season has been a yearly occurrence. There is no excuse for concerned transportation bodies and private providers not to be prepared,” she said.
“Overbooking, long queues for tickets, standing-room-only scenarios in buses, missing luggage, and similar unfortunate incidents should be timely remedied,” she added.
Transportation avenues are expected to be busier this Holy Week, especially as April 10, Monday, was also considered a Regular Holiday due to the Araw ng Kagitingan (April 9, Sunday) holiday being moved to the nearest weekday.
This translates to a five-day weekend, starting from Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday and then Monday.
As early as now, over 400,000 motorists are expected to move through both the North Luzon Expressway and South Luzon Expressway for the holidays. Airport officials are also expecting an increase in the volume of passengers — reminding the public to be at airports way ahead of their flights.
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