LTO to motorists: Brace for Undas traffic

MANILA, Philippines — Expect longer traffic queues and more people on the road as Filipinos gear up to commemorate the traditional Undas after two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Land Transportation Office.

LTO special legal assistant Alex Abaton said their agencies are all hands on deck for Oplan Undas 2022, as they expect more Filipinos to participate in the yearly exodus to the provinces.

“In 2020 and 2021, the pandemic prevented us from launching any Oplan. Basically, due to the excitement of our countrymen, we are expecting a higher influx of passengers (this year). We are prepared for it,” he said in Filipino in an interview over radio dzBB.

He said the LTO has been placed on heightened alert from Oct. 27 to Nov. 4 to ensure road safety for commuters and
 motorists.

“According to the directive of our Asec., heightened alert from Oct 27 to Nov 4. All of our employees will be part of Oplan Undas – filing for leave is prohibited. That directive is for all of our regional and district offices. This is a huge deal,” he added.

The LTO led an inter-agency briefing with involved agencies, including the Philippine National Police, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and toll operators.

Traffic enforcers, police and force multipliers have already been deployed to check on roadworthiness of public utility vehicles and to check for valid franchises to weed out possible colorum units.

The LTFRB said it has received a total of 256 applications for special permits for PUVs to operate for Undas, covering about 615 units nationwide.

Abaton said they are also conducting surprise visits and drug testing at terminals to keep commuters safe.

Heightened alert

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) units are on heightened alert until Nov. 3 as the agency expects an influx of passengers in ports for the long weekend leading to All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days.

PCG commandant Adm. Artemio Abu said PCG units were ordered to conduct round-the-clock operations to monitor nautical highway routes leading to provinces and tourist destinations nationwide.

“Our PCG districts conduct 24/7 operations to monitor nautical highway routes, especially in the Visayas where the majority of tourist destinations are situated. I have instructed concerned units to ensure maritime security and safety in our western and eastern seaboards, as well as inter-island routes. Our deployable response groups (DRGs) and PCG Auxiliary volunteers are also augmenting these operations,” Abu said.

Western seaboard monitoring includes Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Aklan, Iloilo and Zamboanga regions.

Meanwhile, eastern seaboard monitoring covers Manila, Bicol region, Samar, Leyte and Surigao provinces.

“We have maritime safety inspectors in port terminals, law enforcement teams in strategic locations, maritime patrol teams in critical vicinity waters and DRGs on standby for possible search and rescue missions during maritime incidents or emergencies,” the admiral added.

Meanwhile, Abu said the PCG was intensifying operations with the Philippine Ports Authority and the Maritime Industry Authority, specifically in performing vessel safety and security inspections on board.

PCG units also conduct foot patrols in major port terminals and tourist destinations to continuously remind the general public to stay alert at all times and to provide further assistance.

“We encourage our port passengers and tourists to remain vigilant during their trip and to report to authorities any suspicious baggage or person for immediate action,” Abu added. – Neil Jayson Servallos