Tight security, help desks in terminals

Tight security and passenger help desks greet Christmas travelers in Cebu’s bus terminals, seaports and airport.

Authorities said passenger traffic in the Cebu North and South Bus Terminals, Cebu City Port and the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) started to increase last Friday.

A crush of passengers is expected today when holidaymakers head to their respective hometowns.

More provincial policemen were deployed in the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT) in Cebu City, where the flow of incoming and outgoing buses remained normal despite the increased volume of passengers, said PO1 Heracleo Cebuco.

At the Cebu North Bus Terminal in Mandaue City, terminal manager Zosimo Jumao-as said all passengers can be accommodated in available buses although some trips are delayed.

Special permits were approved for bus units to service different routes to cope with the higher demand.

AIRPORT, SEAPORT

At the Cebu city pier, the Coast Guard fielded more personnel starting December 20 for Oplan Ligtas Biyahe until January 7.

Airport passengers in Mactan are serenaded by Christmas carol singers stationed in the terminal, where they can also approach a help desk if they have inquiries.

A separate medical desk was put up with a standby ambulance in case of emergencies, said Mary Anne Dimabayao, information officer of MCIA.

She said, passenger volume has tripled in recent days due to holiday traffic.