EDITORIAL - Safe trip

By land, air and sea, the Holy Week exodus from Metro Manila started yesterday. It’s a peak season for travel, and a nation aiming to double its tourist arrivals in three years must make sure having fun in the Philippines starts with a comfortable and safe ride.

At the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, who accompanied President Aquino in an inspection yesterday, apologized to passengers for inconveniences, including busted air conditioning, due to an ongoing renovation of the nation’s principal gateway.

At ports and bus depots, meanwhile, security was tightened amid the crush of passengers going to the provinces. As important as looking out for explosives, however, is ensuring that shipping companies are complying with maritime safety regulations, including proper stowing of cargo, hiring of qualified ship crew, and keeping accurate passenger manifests. Too many ships have sunk in these islands even in clear weather, often due to overcrowding, leaving thousands dead in recent decades.

Land transportation can be just as risky. Poorly maintained buses, driven recklessly by men who sometimes take drugs to stay awake on long trips, keep falling into steep ravines or colliding with trucks that are also poorly maintained and speeding along narrow, winding roads. Many mountain passes still lack safety railings and warning signs.

A comfortable trip means a smooth trip. Authorities should make sure motorists reach their destinations this Holy Week with minimal traffic jams. Whether going north or south, this has not been the case in the past years. Surely there is an efficient system of traffic management that can be implemented to cut travel time.

Even when the holidays are over, that system must be maintained and safety regulations enforced in all modes of transportation. This is not just to boost tourism but also to ensure a safe trip for all.