Gov’t transport agencies on full alert to ensure travellers’ safety

DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and all its attached agencies are now on full alert status to ensure the safety of travellers with supertyphoon `Yolanda’ (International name Haiyan) expected to make landfall in the Visayas region on Friday.

Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said Thursday that transport agencies have already prepared emergency plans and protocols including safety inspections, enhancing provisions for affected passengers and deploying patrol vehicles and quick response teams.

“We want to have the least number of casualties possible, and we placed all transport agencies on full alert status precisely to ensure that,” Abaya said.

The DOTC also stressed on the importance of real-time information dissemination to the public to alert them in case the situation becomes risky.

Abaya said the Philippine Coast Guard also has deployed 40 rubber boats and 30 aluminum boats to its substations in the Visayas for emergency rescue operations.

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