The Department of Transportation DOTr) has activated its programs to help millions of motorists and travelers get to their destinations during the long weekend running up through All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
In a statement, the DOTr said it had activated “Oplan Ligtas Biyahe: Undas 2016” to ensure the safety and reliability of various modes of transportation.
“The DOTr has directed all its attached agencies to be on heightened alert status to guarantee the security and safety of passengers traveling during the Undas period,” the department said on Friday. “Attached agencies are expected to make sure that public concerns hotlines are operational and properly manned.”
As part of this program, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will conduct an inspection of buses as part of ensuring its road worthiness and safety of the passengers. Help desks will also be placed in terminals to ensure that queries and concerns of commuters will be swiftly and efficiently attended to.
The LTFRB will issue special permits to bus operators valid from Oct. 29 to Nov. 3, as more buses will be needed to transport those who will be traveling to their respective provinces.
Similarly, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) will enhance its public assistance programs by prioritizing tasks in line with guiding motorists.
Meanwhile, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) will deploy additional personnel at toll plazas where traffic build-up is expected.
For its part, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has created a management team which consists of airport managers to personally oversee the operation during the peak days. Passengers can also ask for assistance and information to help desks manned by MIAA personnel, airport police and medical teams.
The Philippine National Railways will maintain the present number of train trips in the Metro Manila South Commuter and Bicol Commuter Services. There will be 36 daily trips from Tutuban to Alabang/Mamatid and four from Naga to Sipocot. One-stop help desks will be set up in terminals and stations and quick response teams will be activated.
The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) will monitor all domestic passenger ships prior to scheduled departures to ensure that applicable rules and regulations are complied with, particularly the “no overloading of passengers and cargo” policy.
The Inter-Agency Council on Traffic (i-ACT) will deploy around 2,900 personnel to man the roads of the metropolis. I-ACT will likewise lift the number coding scheme in Metro Manila on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. In order to further assist commuters going to and from their provinces, number coding shall be lifted only for provincial buses on Nov. 2 and 3./rga
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