‘Aksyon Agad’ launched for All Souls’ Day

President Arroyo approved yesterday measures to ensure a trouble-free observance of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day this weekend.

Dubbed "Aksyon Agad," the measures were presented to Mrs. Arroyo by Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Ma. Elena Bautista and Land Transportation (LTO) chief Assistant Secretary Annalyn Lontoc.

Mrs. Arroyo approved the measures during the joint Cabinet and National Economic and Development Authority board meeting at the LTO in East Avenue, Quezon City.

Bautista said one of the measures they have taken was the setting up of "Help Desks" in bus terminals nationwide in cooperation with local governments and civic groups.

Medical and rescue teams will also be sent out to attend to emergencies, she added.

Bautista said "Aksyon Agad" includes installation of "Libreng Tawag" telephone booths around cemeteries throughout the country by the Department of Transportation and Communications.

Other safety measures during the long weekend are:

• Checking and ensuring roadworthiness of public utility vehicles.

• Ensuring that drivers and conductors are physically and mentally fit.

• Checking and ensuring safety equipment on board PUVs.

• Ensuring that there is no overloading.

• Apprehending "colorum" PUV operators.

Meanwhile, Metro Manila police commander Deputy Director General Reynaldo Velasco ordered yesterday the deployment of more police mobile and foot patrols on Saturday and Sunday to prevent robbers from breaking into homes when many residents are in cemeteries and the provinces.

Velasco also urged residents to take precautionary measures to thwart any attempt of criminals to exploit the long weekend.

"We should be on our toes against criminal elements, not only in commercial centers and subdivisions, but also in cemeteries and bus terminals, where huge volumes of Filipinos are expected to converge," he said.

Metro Manilans who will go to the cemetery or the provinces should coordinate with barangay officials so more patrols could be sent in their neighborhoods, he added.

Velasco said he has ordered police commanders to set up public assistance centers and deploy patrols in cemeteries.

Traffic enforcement officers were also ordered to assist motorists along major thoroughfares leading to and from cemeteries in the metropolis in coordination with the Metro Manila Development Authority, he added.

Velasco said uniformed police will be deployed in bus terminals to secure the big number of passengers going to the provinces.

"The safety of the riding public must be prioritized at all times, and the citizenry should be assured that they will not be preyed on by criminals," he said.

Velasco said he has also asked radio groups to help police give assistance to the public during All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day.

Police will also guard public communications facilities, government buildings and other vital installations, Velasco added.

In Manila, the Western Police District (WPD) plans to re-route traffic in major streets in anticipation of the inflow of vehicles on Saturday.

WPD director Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong said he has ordered his commanders to map out a security plan for the orderly observance of All Saints’ Day in Manila.

Chief Inspector Gerry Agunod, WPD spokesman, said security around the North, La Loma and Chinese cemeteries in Manila and South Cemetery in Makati City had been tightened.

"All the security measures to be implemented on All Saints’ Day would be the same as that of last year, which include ban on liquor, playing cards, bladed weapons and loudspeakers." he said. — Marichu Villanueva, Non Alquitran, Cecille Suerte Felipe