LTO, Capitol brace for influx of travelers for Holy Week, summer season

CEBU, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office (LTO)-7 is set to launch its “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Semana Santa and Summer Vacation 2024” this Sunday, March 24, and will run until Easter Sunday, March 31.

LTO-7 regional director Glen Galario has directed all his district and extension office chiefs including its concerned personnel to be on heightened alert for the anticipated influx of motorists on the road following the long weekend next week.

“We will start deploying our personnel in major terminals in the region by Sunday, March 24 wherein they will conduct random inspection of Public Utility Vehicles to make sure that they are road-worthy and ready for the influx of passengers going back to their provinces and others taking their vacation,” said Galario in a statement.

The conduct of random terminal joint roadside inspections for PUVs will be in partnership with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)-7 to make sure that there are no colorum vehicles.

During the one-week Oplan Biyaheng Ayos, LTO-7 personnel will also coordinate with the local government units (LGU) and the Philippine National Police to implement different traffic management and make sure that the roads are safe for both motorists and passengers.

“We want to ensure the safety, security, and sanitary health compliance of all motorists, the general public, and other road users leading to places of worship and other pilgrimage areas,” Galario added.

During the week’s operation, LTO-7 will also strengthen its “Oplan Isnabero” operation against taxi/PUV drivers who refuse to convey passengers to their destination.

Oplan Isnabero will also focus on the over/undercharging of fares, contracting of passengers or operation with flagged-up meters, failure to provide fare discounts, and other acts constituting a breach of the condition of their franchise.

Galario said that deputized law enforcement officers will also be activated, as well as the implementation of law enforcement operations that will take place during the Oplan Biyaheng Ayos.

Field Enforcement Units are also mandated to enforce pertinent provisions of Republic Act 4136 or the “Land Transportation and Traffic Code.”

Galario further assures the general public, especially the commuters that help desks will easily be accessible to them in terminals should they need assistance in their travels.

“Our goal here is to make sure that our motorists and commuters will have a safe journey during this long holiday. Their safety is our main concern and we hope to have a collaborative effort to make this Oplan Biyaheng Ayos another success,” Galario further said.

Bantayan Island

Meanwhile, in anticipation of the influx of tourists to Bantayan Island this coming Holy Week, shipping companies with routes going to the island are expected to add more trips.

Provincial Board Member Red Duterte, chairman of the committee on tourism, said trips will be extended to cater to more travelers.

“I think ang Bantayan man gani gikan sa kadlawon hangtod tunga tunga sa gabii. So this will be a 24 hour operation. So in close coordination pud ni with the coast guard. Usually ang last trip gyud ana kay around 5 to 5:30pm going to the island, unya karon since daghan kaayo turista, I think they will extend up to 8pm,” Duterte told reporters yesterday at the sideline of the turnover of the Ciudad project of the Cebu Provincial Government.

Duterte said apart from the Bantayan, LGUs in the province have been preparing for tourist arrivals to their towns and cities this summer.

Further, Duterte reminds tourists who plan to have their vacation in all tourist destinations in the Province to be vigilant and always verify websites and social media pages of establishments to avoid being scammed by those who will take advantage of the peak season. (CEBU NEWS)