Government agencies on Saturday assured they are prepared for the anticipated increase in the number of land, sea and air travelers going to and from provinces for the observance of Lent.
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said the government is doubling its efforts to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers.
“It’s really all about making the passenger experience more comfortable and convenient,” he said.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Don Artes said the agency will deploy a total of 2,542 field personnel and 468 assets on major roads, airports, seaports, and other transport hubs in Metro Manila to manage traffic flow and guide motorists and passengers returning to their respective provinces this Holy Week.
Artes said provincial buses are allowed to pass through Epifanio de los Santos Avenue from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. from April 16 to 20 to accommodate the expected influx of passengers.
In Cubao, Quezon City, bus terminals began to overflow with passengers as transportation firms prepared for an even bigger spike in the days ahead.
Gilbert Barral, a dispatcher and inspector at the Superlines Bus terminal, said that all trips beginning on Saturday, April 12, are completely booked.
The Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) is also anticipating over two million land travelers in the coming days, with approximately 165,000 passengers passing through the terminal since April 9, according to spokesperson Jason Salvador.
Trips to Bicol are also fully booked in PITX, but the management assured they have standby units and personnel in case additional buses are needed.
Private operator New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) has likewise stepped up preparations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to help ensure efficient operations and provide added support throughout the busy travel period.
From April 13 to 20, NAIA is expected to welcome more than 1.18 million passengers—a 14.23 percent increase from last year’s 1.04 million.
Flight movements are also projected to rise, from 6,537 in 2024 to 6,724 this year. Good Friday, April 18, is expected to be the busiest day, with 851 flights, while Tuesday, April 15, will see the lightest traffic at 818 flights—still higher than any single day during Holy Week last year.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines placed all 44 airports under its jurisdiction on heightened alert in anticipation of a projected 7 to 10 percent increase in passenger traffic.
Local airlines are also expecting a large volume of passengers to travel to, from, and within the Philippines during the coming Holy Week period.
The National Capital Region Police Office has also intensified crime prevention efforts and deployed at least 10,000 personnel across Metro Manila in connection with the country’s observance of Lent.
“With Metro Manila preparing for an increased flow of people this Holy Week, we are taking extensive measures to ensure public safety,” NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin said.
Aberin said there will be a strong police presence in churches, bus terminals, airports, seaports, and other crowded places such as shopping malls and other commercial establishments in Metro Manila.
Aside from areas of public convergence, policemen were also tasked to conduct patrols around communities to prevent burglars from entering houses left by families on vacation.
He also reminded travelers to avoid posting photos on social media indicating their location, as various criminal elements, especially members of the so-called “Akyat-Bahay Gang” and “Salisi Gang,” might take advantage of the situation.
“In public spaces, stay alert and report any unusual activity to the nearest police officer. We have ordered 24/7 strict and flexible security coverage for Metro Manila,” Aberin said.