PNoy inspects Holy Week security prep in public transport terminals

President Benigno Simeon Aquino III today visited major public transport terminals in the city to inspect the security measures implemented in these areas.

This is to ensure the safety of passengers who are expected to troop to bus, port, and airport terminals as they go home to the provinces to spend the Holy Week and the long holiday.

Among the terminals visited by the President are the Pier 12 Passenger Terminal together with the Princess of the South (Cebu-bound) in Port Area in Manila; Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) 3 and 4 in Pasay City; and the Victory Liner Bus Terminal also in Pasay City.

Among the facilities checked by the President are the ticketing booths, check-in counters, help desk areas, x-ray machines/ areas for passengers and baggages, pre-boarding area, and terminal fee counters for NAIA.

The inspection is also in line with the collaborative effort of government agencies to make sure that public transport terminals are safe and orderly as a huge volume of passengers is expected to go home to the provinces – particularly on March 28 (Maundy Thursday), 29 (Good Friday), until March 31, Easter Sunday – in observance of the Holy Week.

The inspection is also in support of the "Oplan Ligtas Kwaresma" of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) which guarantees passenger safety by thoroughly inspecting every bus, boat or airplane before these depart from bus terminals, stations, seaports or airports. This translates to a safer, more reliable, convenient, affordable and hassle- free transportation to the public this Lenten season.

After the inspection, President Aquino said that the visited terminals have followed safety protocols. For instance, in the port area, the DOTC and the Coast Guard have enforced security procedures in case of emergency situations in ships/ port vicinity.

He recommended that the instructions posted for passengers be written in a simplified manner to be completely understood by the public.

In all terminals, government agencies such as the Philippine National Police, DOTC, MMDA, among others are also helping in the implementation of security measures. Help desks have been set up to assist passengers in their travel, security, and other concerns.

Also, the President was briefed by the respective terminal chiefs on the status of passenger volume, traffic, operations, and assistance measures conducted in their area as the terminals have been experiencing a marked increase in the number of passengers bound out of Manila.

Accompanying the President in the inspections are DOTC Secrtary Jun Abaya, PCOO Secretary Sonny Coloma, PNP Chief Alan Purisima, and MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino (at the Victory Liner), among others. (PNA)