DOTr promises safe, comfortable Undas travel

MANILA, Philippines —  With millions of Filipinos traveling on All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is ensuring safe and comfortable trips after placing transport sectors on heightened alert.

Command centers have been deployed, operating around the clock, along with tighter security checks and random drug testing for drivers.

At Wednesday’s Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum, acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said operators and managers of airports, seaports, bus terminals and expressways have been instructed to stay on full alert throughout the long weekend.

About 159 bus drivers underwent random drug testing at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX).

All of them tested negative for illegal drugs except for a private motorcycle driver, who is awaiting the results of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s confirmatory test.

Lopez said the random drug testing policy “will now be implemented regularly.”

Over 2.1 million passengers are expected at PITX from Oct. 30 to Nov. 4.

Influx of travelers

About 1.3 million passengers are expected at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) from Oct. 28 to Nov. 5, according to the Manila International Airport Authority.

The MIAA worked with the New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. and DOTr to ensure safe and efficient travel.

“Our goal is to deliver a world-class airport experience even during the busiest days of the year,” MIAA general manager Eric Ines said.

No work, no pay

Employees who will not work today and on All Saints’ Day will be unpaid, according to the Department of Labor and Employment.

The DOLE said the “no work, no pay” policy is enforced on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, declared as special non-working days.

Working employees will be paid an additional 30 percent of their basic wage for the first eight hours.

Overtime work will be paid an additional 30 percent of the hourly rate.

Aid

Field offices of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) are ready to provide aid to passengers.

“We have enough family food packs in our warehouses and pre-positioned ready-to-eat food at different ports. We have enough food and non-food items,” DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said.

Safety first

Filipinos should travel “safely and responsibly” on All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days, according to Bagong Henerasyon party-list Rep. Robert Nazal.

“Check your vehicle, avoid fatigue and always put your family’s safety first,” he said. “Don’t make your home a target by posting (on social media) where you’re going or when you’ll be away.”

Almost 300 Philippine Red Cross first aid stations will be opened on Undas.

Be vigilant

People should be vigilant as theft and robbery incidents have been recorded during Undas, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said yesterday.

In another development, sea travel could be suspended during Undas if a low-pressure area outside the country intensifies into a tropical cyclone, according to the Philippine Coast Guard. –  Mayen Jaymalin, Rudy Santos, Jose Rodel Clapano, Delon Porcalla, Emmanuel Tupas, Evelyn Macairan, Rudy Santos