DOTC-RMC 7 Readies ‘Oplan Ligtas Biyahe’ for Holy Week

The Department of Transportation and Communication-Regional Management Council (DOTC-RMC) 7 has readied “Oplan Ligtas Biyahe Semana Santa 2015” for a safe public travel during the Holy Week.

DOTC-RMC 7 head Nigel Paul Villarete said this will ensure safe travel by air, land and sea transport.

For land transport, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) 7 and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) 7 will conduct bus inspections at the south and north bus terminals in Cebu City from April 1 to 3.

“This is to ensure that there will be no overloading of passengers” said LTFRB 7 Director Rey Elnar.

LTO 7 Director Arnel Tancinco said that since Thursday, they have been conducting road side inspection to ensure that buses are travelling in good condition.

LTFRB 7 has already issued 11 special permits to allow buses to travel outside their franchise area during the Holy Week in anticipation of the influx of passengers returning to their hometowns for the long vacation.

Operators whose buses caught plying outside their routes without the said permit shall be fined P1 million.

He said help desks have been set up in terminals to assist the passengers in their complaints and other concerns.

For air transport, Villarete, who is also the general manager of the Mactan Cebu International Airport, said there is no request yet for additional flights.

Villarete said an influx of passengers will normally start on Wednesday until Sunday based on past experiences.

For water transport, the Philippine Coast Guard-Cebu District, Maritime Industry Authority and the Cebu Ports Authority are closely coordinating with each other to ensure that there will be no overloading.

Commodore Enrico Efren Evangelista, district commander of PCG-Central and Eastern Visayas, said help desks were also placed in various ports.

They are also closely coordinating with the local government units and other non-government organizations.

The Port Police Division likewise will be on a double-shift duty, K-9 dogs will be in place and two floating assets will be on standby in case of emergency. (PNA) FPV/EB/EBP