The Department of Transportation has activated “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Undas 2017” for All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days.
Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Undas 2017 will be implemented from Oct. 30 to Nov. 6. Transport agencies will carry out initiatives that would provide assistance to motorists and passengers.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade has directed all offices of the department and its attached agencies to be on heightened alert to ensure the safety and security of passengers who will troop to the provinces during Undas.
Transport terminals, booths, and counters should be manned at all times during the monitored travel period to ensure the safety of passengers, as well as prevent long queues and other untoward incidents, Tugade said.
Tugade also directed the agencies under him to communicate accidents and emergencies in real time and maintain all hotlines and feedback mechanisms fully operational.
Public advisories, such as safety tips, common types of violations on expressways, and safety and security regulations in airports, seaports, and other transportation hubs, shall be issued. Tarpaulins bearing emergency and hotline numbers will be posted in conspicuous areas within the agency’s jurisdiction.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has issued special permits to 948 buses that will service passengers going to the provinces for All Saints’ Day.
The special permits will be valid from Oct. 30 to Nov. 3, according to LTFRB board member and spokesperson, Aileen Lizada.
Data from the LTFRB show that Northern Luzon has the most number of units approved at 557, followed by Southern Luzon with 274, Bicol with 93, Visayas with 22, and Mindanao with two.
The board will inspect provincial terminals on Epifanio de los Santos Ave. tomorrow. “We aim to inspect terminals if they provide facilities, such as seats with comfortable backrest and good ventilation at waiting areas, well-maintained restrooms that are free and accessible to PWDs, priority lane, among others. We would also want to check if there are adequate security personnel and help desks to address the concerns of passengers,” Lizada said in a text message to reporters.
The Southern Police District will deploy over 1,400 policemen and at least 6,244 force multipliers to ensure the safety of the public on All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days.
Chief Supt. Tomas Apolinario Jr., SPD director, said that at least 1,312 cops from the district headquarters and 130 augmentation personnel from the Regional Public Safety Battalion of the National Capital Region Police Office will be deployed from Oct. 31 up to Nov. 2 to guard 29 cemeteries in southern Metro Manila.
He added that the security team for Undas will be complemented by at least 5,798 force multipliers from the Bantay Bayan, Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams, security guards, and 446 members of various non-government organizations-volunteers. (PNA, Martin A. Sadongdong, and Alexandria Dennise San Juan)
