MANILA, Philippines - The Metro Manila Skyway, the South Luzon Expressway operator and the Manila Toll Expressway Systems (MATES)/Skyway O&M Corp. (SOMCO) have beefed up operations over the weekend at the Skyway and SLEX to ensure the smooth flow of traffic as vehicular volume is expected to soar during the observance of All Saints’ and All Souls’ days.
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), on the other hand, has heightened its alert and will deploy 5,000 personnel starting Oct. 31 in 87 cemeteries in Metro Manila.
MATES-SOMCO said that they have deployed additional traffic management personnel at strategic areas at Skyway and SLEX to facilitate the flow of traffic in coordination with the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), which is also implementing measures for the “Oplan Ligtas na Biyahe: Undas 2012” campaign of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).
The number of vehicles on the Skyway System from Buendia to Alabang and SLEX from Alabang to Sto. Tomas is expected to soar as motorists trek to memorial parks and cemeteries south of Metro Manila or go on vacation to provinces further south between Oct. 26 and Nov. 4.
Both SOMCO and MATES have coordinated with the Metro Manila Development Authority, the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Highway Patrol Group and local police within their areas of jurisdiction to assist in the investigation of unusual incidents and deter acts of lawless elements.
Since the memorial parks in Sucat are as close as 10 meters away from the Skyway area of jurisdiction, SOMCO will also coordinate with the managers of memorial parks and the Parañaque traffic officers to efficiently manage traffic in the area.
The Emergency Medical Service of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) will be on standby at Susana Heights round-the-clock for the Oplan Undas 2012 to quickly respond to any emergency.
Lifeline Arrows will provide ambulance service while the Automobile Association of the Phils. (AAP) will place tow vehicles in strategic sections of the expressways.
Signboards will direct motorists to assistance desks that will be set up along the expressway and within the rest stops at SLEX.
SOMCO and MATES will deploy additional personnel, especially in pinpointed traffic choke points and in toll plazas where vehicles are expected to queue.
Both tollway operators will continue to provide motorist assistance and manage traffic as part of daily operations.
SOMCO and MATES operations heads advise motorists to make sure that their cars are in excellent running condition and to strictly observe tollway traffic rules, especially the prescribed speed limit.
Motorists were also advised about the tollways’ emergency hotlines where they can call and ask for assistance or report accidents or stalled vehicles. Skyway System’s emergency hotline is 776-7777 and SLEX’s is 0917-SLEX (687-7539).
Heightened alert
NCRPO director Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina said uniformed policemen would be deployed to man 97 police assistance desks (PADs) in all entrances of cemeteries starting Wednesday, the eve of the celebration.
Espina appealed to the public to cooperate to ensure the serene atmosphere inside the cemeteries as he warned that policemen would arrest those who bring liquor, firearms, karaoke and deadly weapons.
He has directed his five district directors to beef up security in cemeteries and warned criminals against taking advantage of the situation “as we are everywhere on that particular day.”
The NCRPO will establish Police Assistance Centers (PACs) posted along the highways and streets for immediate police assistance and to facilitate smooth traffic flow for those who are traveling to the provinces.
He also asked them to report immediately to the nearest police assistance desks any suspicious persons or those engaging in illegal activities for prompt action.
No to ‘epals’ on cemeteries
Msgr. Pedro Quitorio III, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Office Media Director urged the public to practice the real essence of the All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day observance, which is to pray for their dear departed.
Quitorio also appealed to all those aspiring for the 2013 elective posts not to use the occasion to campaign by putting tarpaulins bearing their faces in cemeteries.
“They should not use the occasion (to campaign for themselves) because that’s not proper. Even if it’s not yet the campaign period that’s still ‘epal’,” Quitorio said in an interview.
On Saturday, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto Brillantes called on the public to monitor who among the candidates put up their tarpaulins and posters in cemeteries.
“Let’s see if the cemeteries will not be filled with tarpaulins. I think it will be better if we take pictures of these streamers and posters. Remember them and on Election Day don’t vote for them,” he said.
Palace to monitor ‘Undas’
Meanwhile, Malacañang said it will conceal the schedule of President Aquino during All Saints’ and All Souls’ days, so as to provide him and his family the privacy they need when they visit their parents’ graves.
Valte said this will be one of the “very rare” occasions when Aquino will have private time with his entire family.
Ninoy’s and Cory’s tomb is in Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City.
The Palace also declared that preparations for the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day are already in place, and at the same time advised Filipinos to be extra careful when traveling.
Valte said the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other concerned agencies have already made preparations in anticipation of the large volume of people visiting the provinces on All Saints’ Day. – With Helen Flores, Non Alquitran, Delon Porcalla