Aquino inspects key transport terminals

President Benigno Aquino III and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas inspect the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on Friday in anticipatio of All Saint’s Day. GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino III was satisfied with government’s preparations for the mass exodus of thousands of Filipino commuters to the provinces, whether to remember their dead or go on a vacation, after inspecting key transportation hubs Friday, Malacañang said.

The President has made it his task to inspect terminals and air and sea ports on occasions when passengers leave the metropolis en masse.

Government has always been taken to task for the string of bus accidents that have taken place, resulting in deaths.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. told reporters that the President was “happy” seeing everything in place.

“The preparation and what ought to be done to ensure the safety of the people was obvious [to the President],” Coloma said.

Coloma said the President asked the Coast Guard only to deploy more K9 as an additional security and precautionary measure at the North Port Passenger Terminal Complex at the Manila North Harbor, Mr. Aquino’s first stop.

The President also boarded the MV St. Leo the Great bound for Cebu.

Coloma said Mr. Aquino noticed that there were pieces of luggage blocking the emergency exit and asked the crew to ensure that all emergency lanes were clear of obstruction.

“Aside from that, he was happy with the orderliness that he saw and that all facilities were prepared for the influx of passengers. There was no congestion, and our public appeared comfortable,” Coloma said.

Coloma said that after inspecting the airport named after his father, the President gave instructions that all X-ray machines should be in good working condition so that cargo and luggage are properly inspected.

From the airport, Mr. Aquino and his entourage motored to the JAC Liner and DLTB Buendia terminals at the corner of Buendia and Taft Avenue in Pasay City.

There, the President took the chance to mingle with the public, giving out baller IDs to the crowd and shaking hands with them.

He also boarded two passenger buses, one of which was headed to Sta. Cruz, Laguna.

Aside from Coloma, those who joined the President were Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chair Francis Tolentino and Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima.