POLICE security forces across the country are on alert to ensure the safety of millions of Filipinos who are expected to start traveling back to their homes in urban centers after a long Christmas break.
For its part, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) alerted all its personnel in anticipation of the travel of millions of Filipino after the long Christmas and New year holidays.
Philippine National Police (PNP) acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr. said police will remain visible in bus terminals and other major transportation hubs not only to secure the passengers, but to immediately respond to all peace and order concerns.
“The return of our kababayans (countrymen) from their home provinces is part of our security plan. Our personnel on the ground were instructed to make their presence felt from bus stations and other transport hubs from the point of origin to the point of destination, especially in Metro Manila and key urban areas,” said Nartatez.
Nartatez also said territorial police forces and the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) were instructed to increase police visibility in expected traffic gridlocks on highways and major thoroughfares that serve as entry points to urban areas.
In Metro Manila, these included the South Luzon Expressway and North Luzon Expressway.
He said coordination is also being done with local government units and other stakeholders for traffic management and smooth flow of vehicles amid the expected surge of vehicles.
The initiatives also cover inspections and other road safety measures for passenger buses and other public utility vehicles.
“We are expecting a huge volume of vehicles and this means that we have to anticipate traffic jams. And in this type of situation, the tendency to engage in road rage is high so we want to ensure that we would be able to respond in the soonest possible time for any eventuality,” said Nartatez.
“But the best antidote to road rage is to plan your travel well and to be patient. Nothing can cause a headache on the road,” he added.
Nartatez also advised motorists to ensure the road worthiness of their vehicles before going on long travel to prevent incidents of vehicle breakdown along the way that may compromise their safety and that of their family.
“Equally important is to ensure their mental and physical readiness for long driving. Let’s not drive if we are up late or if we are still hung over because your life and that of your family are at stake here,” he stressed.
LTFRB chairman Vigor Mendoza II said he has already advised bus companies and other transport companies to ensure the road worthiness of their buses and vehicles to ensure a hassle-free travel of their clients.
“The compliance of the bus companies and other transport operators will be checked and tested during the conduct of random and surprise inspections in coordination with other government agencies,” he said.
“Our goal is to ensure not only the road worthiness of public utility vehicles but also the readiness of drivers — all are intended to prevent road crashes,” he added.
Two fatal road accidents were recorded amid the Yuletide exodus.
Mendoza said their goal is zero road crash as millions of passengers go back to urban areas after the holiday break.
He said he has instructed all regional directors to ensure that they will immediately respond to any complaints and concerns raised by the commuters especially against erring taxi drivers.
The LTO will monitor compliance among taxi companies and ride-hailing services in bus terminals, seaports and airports across the country.
He called on the passengers to lodge their complaints through the LTFRB hotline 0956-761-0739, vowing to immediately act on the complaints and concerns relating to public land transportation.
