THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday, March 30 called on the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and all local government units (LGUs) to ensure a safe, orderly, and peaceful observance of the Holy Week.
Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday inaugurated a new segment of the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway (CAVITEX) C5 Southlink, designed to ease traffic congestion and cut travel time between the cities of Parañaque and Taguig.
The President also announced that the new segment would be toll-free for motorists until the end of April to encourage its use, especially during the busy Holy Week travel period.
“Mula ngayon hanggang end of April, toll-free ngayon muna dito,” he said.
For its part, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) implemented a heightened alert status across all airports under its jurisdiction, preparing for an expected increase in passenger traffic during the Lenten season.
This proactive measure aims to ensure the safety and efficiency of airport operations as travel activity escalates during this period.
In another development, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced that services across all major rail lines will be suspended to give way for scheduled maintenance throughout the Holy Week period.
The agency said the MRT and LRT systems will be closed starting Maundy Thursday (April 2) through Easter Sunday (April 5), with regular operations set to resume on April 6.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Railway (PNR) will pause operations for a shorter window on Good Friday (April 3) and Black Saturday (April 4).
“All commuters are advised to plan their trips carefully for a safe and comfortable Holy Week,” DOTr said.
The DILG underscored that a strong, visible, and coordinated presence of law enforcers on the ground is critical to deter criminal activity as millions of Filipinos travel, reflect, and gather with their families this Holy Week.
In his message, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged the people to continue working together for the welfare of families, the strength of communities, and the realization of a more compassionate and prosperous Bagong Pilipinas.
Meanwhile, the PNP will be on heightened alert throughout Holy Week, deploying more than 70,000 personnel nationwide, including close to 40,000 uniformed police officers and around 30,000 support and force multiplier units, focusing on transport hubs, major roads, and over 3,200 tourist and convergence areas.
The BFP is mobilizing around 40,000 firefighters under Code Red Alert nationwide to ensure immediate emergency response and intensified fire prevention in churches, transport terminals, and other areas of public convergence, with Oplan Semana Santa and Lakbay Alalay fully implemented.
The DILG underscored that beyond deployments and numbers, the goal is clear: every Filipino should be able to observe Semana Santa safely, travel with peace of mind, and return home to their families without harm.
CAAP, which oversees and manages 44 airports, is anticipating a significant increase in passenger volume during the Holy Week, with an expectation of approximately 550,000 passengers. This figure represents an increase from the 505,511 passengers recorded during the same period in 2025, indicating an estimated growth of 7 to 10 percent in passenger traffic.
CAAP chief Raul del Rosario directed all area and airport managers to implement heightened operational readiness measures, including increased deployment of personnel, more strict security protocols, and continuous monitoring of passenger movement to ensure safe and efficient airport operations nationwide.
Additionally, help desks will be set up in key airports to assist passengers with travel-related concerns in coordination with airlines and other government agencies to minimize potential disruptions and ensure seamless travel journeys.
The agency reminds the traveling public to arrive at the airport at least two to three hours before their scheduled departure, check real-time flight updates with their respective airlines, and ensure that all travel documents are prepared in advance.
The newly opened CAVITEX Segment 3B is a two-kilometer connector road linking CAVITEX to C5, and is expected to accommodate up to 36,000 vehicles daily, according to the president.
President Marcos said the project would significantly decongest smaller roads in the area by redirecting traffic to the new expressway.
The trip that used to take one hour, an hour and a half, will be shortened to just 15 minutes.
He added that the shorter travel duration would translate into savings for commuters, particularly in fuel costs, amid rising global oil prices linked to tensions in the Middle East.
“ That’s a huge thing, because it means major savings in commuters’ time… and it also represents substantial savings in gasoline, in crude oil, in fuel,” he added.
Mr. Marcos noted that additional road projects are set to open in other parts of Luzon, including a new route in Central Luzon connecting Tarlac to Cabanatuan.
The Department of Public Works and Highways, led by Secretary Vince Dizon, is overseeing the rollout of these projects, which the administration says are aimed at making travel faster, safer and more efficient.
Light Rail Manila Corp., the operator of LRT 1 said the four-day closure is designated for the company’s Holy Week maintenance activities, which will involve a series of rigorous checks and essential system upgrades across the entire line.
Before the temporary suspension, LRT-1 will implement its normal weekday operating hours from March 30 (Holy Monday) to April 1 (Holy Wednesday).
During this period, the first trips will depart simultaneously from Dr. Santos Station and Fernando Poe Jr. Station at 4:30 AM. The last train is scheduled to leave Dr. Santos Station at 10:30 PM, while the last trip from Fernando Poe Jr. Station will depart at 10:45 PM.
“Our team will be utilizing this period to perform necessary maintenance checks and critical upgrades. These rigorous activities are part of our commitment to providing a safe and seamless commute for our LRT-1 passengers,” Enrico R. Benipayo, LRMC president and chief executive said.
He further emphasized that all trains and core systems would undergo intensive testing and inspection before the resumption of normal operations to ensure the integrity of the entire LRT-1 network.
