Bus terminals nationwide will be put on “heightened alert” starting Friday to April 16 as part of the government’s preparation for the exodus of devotees and vacationers during the Holy Week and summer vacation.
In a statement Wednesday, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said its central office and regional directors were given orders to work with other government agencies in ensuring the security of commuters and proper observance of protocols in all bus terminals.
“We are expecting a massive influx of passengers because of the Holy Week,” the LTFRB said.
Under the program, dubbed “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Summer Vacation 2022” of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the LTFRB would carry out random inspections of buses to ensure their roadworthiness and the safety of passengers.
Commuters in the NCR and neighboring cities are advised to use the four major land terminals—the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), the Santa Rosa Integrated Terminal (SRIT), the North Luzon Expressway Terminal (NLET), and the Araneta Center Terminal.
Malasakit Help Desks will be set up in integrated terminals and in areas near private terminals to provide information to commuters.
Private terminals in the NCR are allowed to operate only from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. in accordance with the “window scheme” being implemented by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, the LTFRB said.
Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to spend the Holy Week in his hometown Davao City, the Palace said.
“I would like to believe that the President will stay in Davao City as usual. In previous years, the President stayed in his home in Davao City,” acting presidential spokesman Martin Andanar said in a Palace briefing when asked where the President will spend the Lenten season.
He said the President had spent most Holy Week celebrations in Davao City since he became president in 2016.
However, in 2017, Duterte spent the Holy Week making a historic three-country swing in the Middle East, specifically in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Qatar.