Oplan Ligtas Biyahe launched

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) yesterday launched “Oplan Ligtas Biyahe” in preparation for the influx of passengers going to the provinces for two long weekends – one for the barangay elections on Monday and another for the day of the dead.

PCG spokesman Commander Armand Balilo said they have advised all personnel and field stations and personnel to be on alert for the increase in ship passengers who might start traveling back to the province this weekend.

“For the Nov. 1 All Saints’ Day and Nov. 2 All Souls’ Day, we see an upsurge of more than 200 percent of passengers coming in ports so we need to mobilize additional personnel,” Balilo said.

The Coast Guard would be deploying additional personnel to several seaports in the country, particularly in Zamboanga City and Basilan, to monitor the maritime activities during the week.

“We will exercise extra vigilance in ports with random checks on passengers and luggage more than the usual,” Balilo said.

Balilo appealed to the public for understanding on the tighter security measures that they would implement.

Passengers are instructed to be at the seaport at least three hours before departure time. They should not carry flammable liquids and solids, corrosive materials, toxic and infectious substances, compressed gases, radioactive materials and explosives to avoid search delays and inconvenience.

Since the election gun ban is still in effect, Balilo advised men in uniform to present complete documents for their firearms upon boarding.

On the other hand, traffic management plans for the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) were implemented a week ahead in preparation for the long weekend.

According to Francisco Dagohoy, media relations officer of the Tollways Management Corp. (TMC) that manages the NLEX, there will be a significant increase of traffic along the tollways up to 15 percent.

“We expect a significant increase by Saturday (today) but not as much on the 31st,” he said.

Dagohoy said the TMC had launched its motorists assistance program “Safe Trip Mo, Sagot Ko” yesterday in preparation for the expected trek to the provinces for the barangay elections on Monday up to All Saints’ Day next weekend.

Dagohoy said TMC will deploy ambulant tellers and additional traffic management personnel, in response to expected traffic buildup at the Balintawak, Mindanao Avenue and Dau toll plazas in the afternoon of Oct. 31 to the early morning of Nov. 1.

On the other hand, traffic at the Mabalacat Toll Plaza of SCTEX and Bocaue Toll Plaza of NLEX is expected to become heavier as motorists go back to Metro Manila on Nov. 2, 3 and 4.

Spare lanes will be opened on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at Dau and on Nov. 3 and 4 at the Bocaue toll plaza.

Dagohoy said cash paying motorists using Class 1 vehicles will be allowed in these five spare lanes.

At SCTEX, traffic buildup going to the provinces is expected at the Tarlac, San Miguel and Tipo exits starting also on Oct. 31.

Manual and counter-flow lanes will be placed at San Miguel and Tarlac exit, respectively, to accommodate the high volume of traffic.

Back to Manila, traffic buildup is expected on Nov. 3 and 4 at Mabalacat interchange of SCTEX. Motorists can expect sufficient number of personnel and equipment to minimize delay at the plaza and maintain the best level of service possible.

There will be manual toll booths ready to be set up at Mabalacat Toll Plaza. Sufficient manpower and equipment will be deployed by Traffic and Toll operations to ensure fast and smooth travel of motorists going to Tarlac, Pampanga, Bataan and Subic Bay.

For more real time information, Dagohoy also urged motorists to check out their websites at www.tollways.net.ph. -Dino Balabo