File photo by RICHARD A. REYES / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — Special permits given to select public utility vehicles (PUV), random inspections of PUVs, “code white” alerts in hospitals across the country as well as major road works in Metro Manila are among government advisories over the weekend to ensure safe observance of the Holy Week wherein most Filipinos travel to the provinces.
On March 22, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) approved special permits for at least 1,021 PUVs.
Recognizing the need for enough and seamless travel for the commuting public for the Holy Week exodus, the LTFRB said it would issue special permits to select PUVs plying across the country until April 14.
Maximize operations
In a statement, LTFRB Chair Teofilo Guadiz III said this is “to maximize operations of PUVs”.
The LTFRB, along with the Land Transportation Office (LTO), will also conduct an inspection of PUVs at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange on March 25, ahead of the Holy Week break, under the Oplan Bantay-Biyahe Semana Santa 2024.
Guadiz said this was meant to check if there were help desks set up in the terminals and also conduct random inspections on PUVs. Random drug tests would also be conducted among PUV drivers.
Road repairs
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority announced on Sunday the Department of Public Works and Highways and a telecommunications company will conduct 24-hour construction and repairs on several roads from 11 p.m. Wednesday on March 27, until 5 a.m. on Monday, April 1, at the following locations:
In Quezon City: Batasan-Commonwealth Tunnel, Filinvest 1 Road to fronting Sandigan; West Avenue, Ligaya St. to Del Monte Avenue; Luzon Avenue southbound, Congressional Avenue Ext. to before Luzon Flyover; Commonwealth Avenue, Landbank to Elliptical Road; Mindanao Avenue, Tandang Sora Avenue to Longines St.; Mindanao Avenue Tunnel to Sauyo Road; Payatas Road, Batasan Road to Bayanihan St.; Payatas Road between Singko St. & Leyte St.; Payatas Road before Maynilad Pumping Station to Petron Gas Station; IBP-San Mateo Road.
In Pasay City: Roxas Boulevard northbound between Lourdes St. and Vicente Sotto St.; Roxas Boulevard northbound between Remedios St. and Pasaje Del Carmen St.; Roxas Boulevard Edsa Flyover southbound bridge approach.
In Parañaque City: South Super Highway East Service Road.
In Makati City: Edsa northbound Guadalupe before the bridge; Edsa northbound Guadalupe P. Burgos St. near Jollibee and McDonald’s; Edsa northbound Guadalupe JP Rizal Ext.; Edsa northbound Guadalupe JP Rizal Ext. near stoplight.
Acting MMDA Chair Don Artes said the extended schedule aims to complete infrastructure projects quickly while minimizing disruptions after the religious holidays. All roads are expected to be fully passable again by 5 a.m. on April 1.
The Department of Health, meanwhile, issued a code white alert starting March 24 up to March 31 for all hospitals across the country.