Transport agencies gear up for Holy Week exodus

MANILA, Philippines — The transport sector is gearing up safety and security preparations in time for the expected yearly exodus from Metro Manila to the provinces for the coming Holy Week. 

The road, air, maritime and train sectors under the Department of Transportation (DOTr) have been placed under alert to prepare for the busy travel season.

Various transportation officials from the different sectors met yesterday to coordinate efforts to ensure the safety of passengers during one of the busiest holidays in the country next week. This year’s Lenten safety operation is dubbed Oplan Byaheng Ayos.

This comes as transport officials had to deal with a bus crash in Occidental Mindoro that killed 19 people.

Transportation Undersecretary for roads Tim Orbos said this shows that there are many areas for improvement in the sector and the government has to learn from tragedies and past mistakes.

The public should brace for the heavy volume of commuters and motorists from Metro Manila, with crowds expected to peak by Holy Wednesday, the last working day for the week for most employees.

Orbos said they are expecting a 30 percent increase in the volume of traffic in tollways during the Holy Week. 

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) is set to intensify “Tanggal Bulok, Tanggal Usok” operations with the onset of the Holy Week. 

LTO chief Edgar Galvante said the agency is also stepping up inspection of bus terminals to ensure the roadworthiness of vehicles and the physical condition of the driver. 

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has recommended the approval of 427 special permits covering 990 buses to accommodate the increased volume of passengers.

A majority of the special permits would ply the North Luzon route from Meto Manila, with a total of 548 units under 249 applications.

Meanwhile, an eight percent increase in the volume of passengers is expected at the country’s airports this Lenten season.