LTO on alert for Holy Week; 38,387 cops deployed

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) will be on heightened alert from March 31 to April 10 in anticipation of the influx of passengers during the Holy Week, an official announced yesterday.

LTO chief Jay Art Tugade said more personnel of the agency would be fielded in the streets and transportation terminals to ensure the safety of passengers.

“They will be deployed in the streets to assist both the motorists and commuters,” he said.

According to Tugade, the LTO will also check the roadworthiness of public utility vehicles (PUVs).

He said PUV drivers would be subjected to random drug tests.

Under Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, Tugade said LTO enforcers are mandated to arrest violators of the law.

“We want to ensure a peaceful and safe observance of the Holy Week. We are asking the cooperation of the public to follow our traffic laws,” he said.

The LTO will conduct a seminar among drivers and conductors of PUVs today.

Malacañang has declared April 6, 7 and 10 as holidays.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police will deploy 38,387 officers to ensure public safety during the observance of Holy Week, PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin announced yesterday.

Azurin said the police personnel would beef up security in churches, shopping malls, transportation hubs and other areas of convergence.

Police assistance desks will be set up in public places, he said.

The National Capital Region Police Office will have the most number of deployments with 9,585 personnel, according to Azurin. – Ralph Edwin Villanueva