Coast Guard, MMDA gird for Holy Week

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has intensified its safety and security measures in all seaports and ferry terminals ahead of the expected influx of province-bound passengers for the long Lenten break.

Coast Guard commandant Adm. Wilfredo Tamayo said they had set up passenger assistance centers or help desks at major seaports to address the concerns of passengers.

“The centers will particularly help ensure the orderly, safe and secure embarkation of passengers and loading of cargo to give the PCG ample time for the boarding and inspection of vessels prior to departure,” Tamayo said in a statement.

For those who want to visit churches on Holy Thursday, they can do so via the Internet.

The Catholic Church has made available the traditional Visita Iglesia on the Internet, which features 14 shrines and pilgrimage churches to correspond with the 14 Stations of the Cross with reflections given by priests.

To help ease traffic on roads leading to churches on Holy Thursday, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chair Francis Tolentino made a pitch for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ (CBCP) Visita Iglesia Online.

“The CBCP has the online Visita Iglesia, which others might want to try instead of traveling personally to the churches,” said Tolentino during the weekly forum hosted by the Catholic Media Network in Intramuros, Manila, Tuesday.

Tolentino said about 1,000 MMDA personnel would be deployed in major thoroughfares to assist travelers visiting churches and those bound for the provinces during the Holy Week.

Due to the expected surge in province-bound passengers next week, Tolentino advised commuters to use the “Mabuhay” lanes or alternate routes to decongest the capital’s major thoroughfares.

Heavy flow of traffic is expected starting 3 p.m. on Holy Wednesday until 3 a.m. the next day, he said.

The PCG’s Lenten preparations are part of the government’s inter-agency program known as Oplan Mahal na Araw.

Tamayo said additional Coast Guard personnel have been deployed to busier ports, namely, Manila, Batangas, Cebu and Zamboanga. They include sea marshals, special operations groups, K-9 personnel and members of special medical assistance response teams.

“Ship inspectors and canine teams should exercise extra vigilance in ports with random checks on passengers and luggage more than the usual,” he said.

The PCG chief appealed to passengers to obey all shipping and port regulations and to be patient, understanding and cooperative with the tighter security steps being enforced.

Passengers are advised not to bring any prohibited cargo to avoid any delay and inconvenience. Those carrying firearms should present complete documents.

Tamayo said the riding public should report immediately any suspicious baggage, especially those left unattended, to authorities and PCG personnel in the area or to sea marshals on board ships.

The PCG may be contacted through its hotlines, (02) 5273877 and 5278481 and via text through 0917-PCGDOTC or 0917-7243682. With Jocelyn R. Uy