All set for the Holy Week DENR calls for a “green” Lent

CEBU, Philippines - Everything is set for the Holy Week celebration – ports and terminals, policemen, religious groups and even tourists out to enjoy the long weekend.

As that developed, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) - 7 urged the public to observe a “green” Lenten break by reducing air pollution and separating trash bags for biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes.

All ports and terminals in Cebu are ready for the increase of passengers as assured by the Mactan Cebu International Airport, North and South Bus Terminals and the Cebu Port Authority to Acting Governor Agnes Magpale and officials of regional offices under the Department of Transportation and Communication.

Magpale initially inspected the Mactan airport where she was greeted by MCIA Director Nigel Paul Villarete. Although the number of passengers is still expected to surge today, Magpale said that she was pleased to see the airport was ready to cater to the needs of the passengers.

After the MCIAA, Magpale proceeded to check the progress of the repair at the Marcelo Fernan Bridge which was repaired since March 18.

Magpale then went to the North Bus Terminal and was met by Zosimo Jumao-as, general manager of the Cebu Provincial Bus Operators Multi-Purpose Cooperative who runs the terminal. Even if the terminal is not under the provincial government, the passengers are mostly from the province which makes it their concern, said Magpale, who is from the north.

The terminal is owned by the Mandaue City Government but is leased by the Cebu City Government. The provincial government, under suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, has initially offered to take over the operations but plans did not push through.

Magpale said that upon checking, the terminal’s operations was fine but had room for improvement. After the North Bus terminal, Magpale then inspected the Cebu Port Authority specifically terminal three which was expected to have more passengers due to the closure of terminal one which was under renovation.

Col. Oscar Lopez, Cebu Port Authority manager for safety and security, said that passengers in terminal 1 are advised to go to terminal 3 for check-in and will then be transported by CPA buses to terminal 1.

Magpale ended her ocular inspection at the South Bus terminal. In all the stops of the inspection, Magpale checked all the bathrooms. She explained to the media that even if they were there to check on security measures in line with “Oplan Ligtas Byahe,” she inspected the cleanliness of the bathrooms which is a common complaint of travelers.

In Cebu City, policemen are placed on a heightened alert until Sunday.

Senior Supt. Mariano Natu-el, who heads Cebu City Police Office, said all policemen will be on duty for the long weekend and their vacation leave permits are cancelled.

Natu-el said he deployed 350 personnel to secure the Holy Week activities, excluding the 48 personnel or one platoon from the Regional Public Safety Battalion augmented to CCPO as standby force.

“We have already deployed two police personnel for each church in Cebu City,” Natu-el told The FREEMAN.

The CCPO acting director said he will also provide security along the route of San Nicolas leading to the Guadalupe Church for the Buhing Kalbaryo activity as well as in The Good Shepherd in Banawa tomorrow (Friday). Policemen will also be deployed for the “Sugat sa Guadalupe” on Sunday.

Natu-el said they won’t just focus their deployment where Cebuanos would gather for the Lenten celebration. He said the rest of the CCPO force will be deployed in the streets to conduct constant beat patrol and checkpoints to guard houses from burglars.

The police official also warned bank and pawnshop management to beef up their security as the Acetylene Gang and other notorious criminals may take the long weekend as an opportunity to strike their establishments.

Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Patrocinio Comendador, for his part, said they are prioritizing Minglanilla, San Remigio and Bantayan Island in the deployment of personnel.

Comendador said that yearly event and beaches in Bantayan Island and San Remigio are among the most chosen getaways of tourists. A total of 80 personnel from the provincial headquarters are deployed in the area while in Minglanilla, about 50 personnel are deployed to secure the area for its Sugat sa Kabanhawan Festival on Easter Sunday.

“We have massive deployment of personnel and simultaneous checkpoint operations,” Comendador told The FREEMAN.

The public may call the Provincial Operations and Plans Division at (032) 236-8685 for their concerns.

Meanwhile, the DENR 7 Director Dr. Isabelo R. Montejo reminds the public to think of the environment amid the celebration.

“This season is a cherished and prized tradition among Filipinos, but we should try to do away with certain practices that harm the environment and our health,” he said, noting past studies which indicated an estimated 30,000 tons of garbage being generated in the country on a regular day.

Montejo in a statement said that Filipinos should lessen the number of vehicles on the road. “If possible, let us take the public transport especially when going to the provinces, or car pooling. This way, not only can we sit back and relax, we also avoid heavy traffic that generates air pollution.”

With this, he said bringing and minimizing trash by using reusable utensils are some of the measures to reduce the volume of garbage.

Montejo said that caring and protecting for the environment is not just a government’s business, stressing that every Filipino should do his or her share in preserving the environment. — (FREEMAN)