Noy leads meeting on security measures for Holy Week

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino yesterday led a meeting on the security preparations for Holy Week, the upcoming World Economic Forum on East Asia next month and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit that the country would host next year.

The Palace said Aquino presided over a Philippine National Police command conference held at PNP headquarters at Camp Crame, Quezon City “to ensure that the Holy Week holidays are orderly and peaceful.”

“Apart from the other engagements in the President’s schedule, he will also spend the week monitoring the preparations and actions of concerned government agencies in light of the upcoming holidays,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said at a press briefing.

The Palace earlier wished the nation a peaceful and reflective Holy Week but cautioned against possible risks that may be encountered by travelers.

Safety plans

The Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., Manila North Tollways Corp., Cavite Infrastructure Corp., Tollways Management Corp. and Toll Regulatory Board have expressed readiness for the influx of motorists passing by the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) this Holy Week.

At the NLEx, additional personnel will be deployed to man major toll plazas in Balintawak, Bocaue, Mindanao Avenue, Dau and Mabalacat.

At the SCTEx, personnel will also be deployed at the Tarlac and Tipo exits.

Additional lanes will be opened to speed up the passage of vehicles through the toll gates during peak hours.

Traffic personnel in the two expressways will also be required to work extra hours to ensure efficient traffic management.

Additional patrol cars and traffic enforcers will also be dispatched from April 16 to 21 to guarantee immediate response to emergency situations and assist distressed travelers.

Medical teams deployed

Medical teams will be deployed by the Philippine Red Cross to assist the public starting tomorrow.

“The PRC will start its operations tomorrow by setting up first aid stations and welfare desks and deploying volunteers and ambulances in public areas,” PRC chairman Richard Gordon said yesterday.

Gordon noted that most of the PRC personnel will be posted at terminals and ports which “are very strategic areas as huge volumes of people go through these places during the start of the Holy Week.”

He added that first aid stations will also be set up at gasoline stations, highways, major roads, churches, parks and other crowded areas.

LGU help

Meanwhile, with the expected exodus of people to the provinces this Holy Week, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has called on all local chief executives to convene their peace and order councils to ensure the safety of their residents and visitors.

Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II directed provincial governors, city and municipal mayors and other local officials to formulate plans to address the expected increase in the number of visitors to their localities.

Roxas said that for some Filipino families, the Holy Week is not only a time to reflect. They also take this opportunity to go on vacation.

He also sought the deployment of village watchmen to help ensure peace and order.  â€“ With Sheila Crisostomo, Lalaine Jimenea, Ric Sapnu