MIAA starts Oplan Undas today

MANILA, Philippines - The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) is set to begin the implementation of its Oplan Undas 2015 today as it expects the influx of passengers for the holidays.

MIAA general manager Jose Angel Honrado said yesterday added measures will be in place to ensure safe, reliable, and convenient operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in the next two weeks.

“Coordination has been made with airlines regarding the efficient processing of their passengers, especially at the check-in counters. Additional airline personnel will be deployed as needed to accommodate the increase in travelers,” he added.

Honrado said roughly 50,000 passengers are expected to leave Manila each day for the holidays. Traffic – both in the air and on the streets around the NAIA is expected to get heavier as the weekend nears.

Check-in counters will be open two hours before departure for domestic flights and three hours for international flights. Counters will be closed 45 minutes before departure.

Help desks will be se up per terminal to accommodate passenger concerns and a command center per terminal will also be established to oversee all operations.

Airport security personnel will not be allowed to go on leave for the duration of Oplan Undas.

Security at the airport will be coordinated among the Airport Police Department, composed of civilian security personnel; the Philippine National Police’s Aviation Security Group; the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the city governments of Parañaque and Pasay.

MMDA and local enforcers will be stationed along major roads leading to the airport terminals to guide vehicular traffic.

Meanwhile, Honrado reminded the public to not bring prohibited items to the airport and to stow all belongings in their carry-on baggage for faster processing at the screening checkpoints.

NCRPO: No kids at cemeteries, please

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) called on the public yesterday to refrain from bringing children or infants to cemeteries during All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days, often referred to as Undas.

With people flocking to cemeteries to visit their dead, the children may get lost, NCRPO director Chief Superintendent Joel Pagdilao said.

He said if bring infants or children to cemeteries cannot be avoided, parents should give their children identification cards or give them pieces of cardboard with their names and contact numbers.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is finalizing security preparations for Undas.

PNP chief Director General Ricardo Marquez said a heightened alert status is likely to be in effect from Oct. 29 to Nov. 3 and “unit commanders are given the flexibility to elevate further the alert level in their respective areas of concern.” – Louise Maureen Simeon, Rudy Santos, Non Alquitran, Cecille Suerte Felipe