April 3 a special non-working day

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo has declared Saturday, April 3, a special non-working day, allowing most of the nation’s workforce to enjoy a long weekend starting this Thursday.

Proclamation 2029 issued last week was meant to give people “the full and uninterrupted opportunity to ponder on the significance of the Holy Week and to properly observe its traditions with religious fervor, without prejudice to public interest.”

Mrs. Arroyo noted that Black Saturday has been declared a holiday in the past and that the observance of Holy Week is one of the Filipino people’s most cherished traditions.

After this long weekend, the workforce would enjoy another one next week as Friday, April 9, is a regular non-working holiday for the observance of Araw ng Kagitingan.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) was ordered to be on 24-hour standby duty nationwide, particularly in tourist destinations.

The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), on the other hand, has set up Beach Patrol and First Aid Stations in resorts and other tourist destinations.

BFP Director Rolando Bandilla Jr. said bureau personnel in areas like Boracay, Puerto Galera, Camarines Sur, Pagudpod, Subic and Bataan and other beaches and resorts will be on round-the clock duty.

Bandilla said the BFP has already established assistance centers in land, sea and air transport terminals and ports to assist travelers. The BFP’s Emergency Medical Service is also on alert for any emergency.

The public can dial or text hotline 177 in case of emergency.

Gwendolyn Pang, PNRC secretary-general, said the Safety Services Department is setting up tents, help desks and first-aid stations along major highways and gas stations during Holy Week.

The Department of Health (DOH) released yesterday the initial report of the newly installed National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), a web-based system that will electronically capture injury-related data from 65 participating government and private hospitals. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe, Mayen Jaymalin, Sheila Crisostomo