The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Friday bared plans for a safe observance of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days, locally known as “Undas.”
The MMDA gathered law enforcement and traffic bureau chiefs across the National Capital Region (NCR) to discuss the traffic management and emergency response measures.
During a press conference at the MMDA headquarters in Pasig City, Chair Don Artes called on the Philippine National Police - Highway Patrol Group, NCR Police Office and all traffic bureau chiefs of NCR local government units to prepare for the expected exodus of passengers and motorists going to the provinces.
Artes ordered the implementation of traffic measures to alleviate vehicular flow in major thoroughfares and roads leading to and from major cemeteries in NCR.
He said 1,257 personnel will be deployed from the MMDA’s Traffic Discipline Office, Special Operations Group-Strike Force, Metro Parkways Clearing Group, and Road Emergency Group to prioritize transportation terminals, cemeteries, and major thoroughfares.
“We will activate our Oplan Undas 2024 from Oct. 27 to Nov. 4 to ensure a safe observance of remembering our departed loved ones. We will also implement the no day off, no absent policy for our traffic personnel,” he said.
He said MMDA personnel will extend their duty hours until midnight a day before and after Undas.
To ensure quick response to emergencies, the MMDA Road Emergency Group will deploy 12 tow trucks and six ambulances.
“Help desks and command posts will also be set up in bus terminals,” Artes said.
On the other hand, the Metro Parkways Clearing Group will focus its cleanup operations within the vicinity of cemeteries from Oct. 26, until Nov. 4.
Traffic situations and closed-circuit television feed from cameras in NCR roads and cemeteries will be monitored at the MMDA Communications and Command Center.
Thirty units of deployable cameras will be deployed in five major cemeteries in the region including Manila North and South cemeteries, Bagbag Public Cemetery in Quezon City, Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina, and San Juan Public Cemetery.
Main gateway security
The Philippine National Police Aviation Security Unit (AVSEU) will deploy additional manpower and heighten security at NAIA, the country's main gateway, in Pasay and Parañaque cities.
Public Information Officer Maj. Junielle Agmata said Friday there are 571 AVSEU personnel currently deployed at NAIA.
At least 100 more will be deployed to support mobile patrol and police visibility inside and outside the airport terminals.
"Police assistance desks will be established inside terminals and personnel will also provide assistance to other agencies," Agmata said.
In a separate interview with the PNA, Office for Transportation Security (OTS) Administrator Crizaldo Nieves said they will activate 24/7 their Transportation Security Operations Center to assist passengers with security concerns and for timely reporting of incidents.
"Likewise, we will deploy security auditors to ensure that the operators of (airport) facilities will adequately implement security measures that are aligned with our national and international standards," he said.
Nieves said the OTS will ensure the maintenance of security screening equipment to prevent breakdown during the period when high volume of passengers is expected.
Last year, the airport logged over 620,000 passengers from Oct. 26 to 30, ahead of actual holidays Nov. 1 and 2.
This year’s non-working holidays fall on Friday and Saturday.
As of Friday, Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Eric Ines said they have yet to forecast the passenger volume for Oct. 31 to Nov. 3.
"Mahirap magbigay ng figures muna pero am sure meron increase ‘yan. (It's hard to provide figures at this time, but I am sure there would be an increase)," he told the PNA.
Meanwhile, low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific reminded passengers that flights of their domestic carrier Cebgo will operate at Terminal 4 until Nov. 6.
It advised travelers to check in online to avoid long queues at counters. (PNA)
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