As the country braces for the annual Holy Week exodus, President Ferdinand Marcos instructed government agencies to remain vigilant and ensure the safety of passengers making their way to different parts of the country.
The Department of Transportation has been directed to intensify the monitoring of transport hubs, according to Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro. “There will be strict inspections of terminals, ports, and airports so that there will be no delays in operations before Holy Week. Delays are possible if a lot of people travel,” she said.
Proclamation No. 727 issued in 2024 by Malacañang declared April 17 (Maundy Thursday) and April 18 (Good Friday) as regular holidays, and April 19 (Black Saturday) as a special non-working day this year.
The Philippine Coast Guard will be on heightened alert from April 8 to 23 amid the expected influx of sea travelers during Holy Week, as almost 1.73 million sea passengers are expected to travel from April 14 to 20, according to the Philippine Ports Authority.
Coast Guard personnel will be deployed at ports, beaches, and tourist destinations, with patrol units ready for possible search and rescue missions.
The PPA added that the maintenance of standby generator sets has been conducted for uninterrupted power supply, water systems, and ventilation amid the extreme heat, the PPA added.
The annual Holy Week exodus never comes as a surprise, and that is why preparations should be almost automatic by now. Making sure that millions of travelers get to their intended destinations safely and on time will require a lot of coordination, not only between government agencies, but with the private sector as well. Hopefully this year is smooth sailing for everyone.*
