LTFRB, Coast Guard prepare for Christmas exodus
12/13/2009 | 02:14 PM
Anticipating the yearly Christmas exodus to the provinces, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and the Philippine Coast Guard have taken special measures for travelers’ safe and comfortable trips.
Starting Tuesday, the LTFRB will grant special permits to allow bus operators to ply routes outside their franchises.
The special permits will be granted starting December 15 in response to requests from bus companies, said LTFRB Chairman Alberto Suansing.
“Ating pagbibigyan ang request ng mga bus company na mag-operate outside of their usual franchise routes, magmula itong 15th (We will accommodate requests by some bus companies to operate outside their usual franchise routes, starting on December 15)," Suansing said in an interview on dzXL radio.
Many bus companies had requested the special permits as they expect many Filipinos to go home to the provinces to spend the Christmas holidays, said Suansing.
In late October, the LTFRB issued special permits to some bus firms in anticipation of the yearly exodus of Filipinos to the provinces for the All Saints’ weekend.
For its part, the Philippine Coast Guard has started preparations to ensure maritime safety for the increased passengers this holiday season.
Coast Guard commandant Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said he has directed all Coast Guard units nationwide to enhance vigilance and “visibility
deterrence."
“Inaasahang tataas ang bilang ng maglalakbay sa bakasyon sa kapaskuhan (We expect the number of passengers to increase in time for the Christmas vacation)," said Tamayo on government-run dzRB radio.
He said this means primarily looking out for colorum or unregistered vessels that may risk overloading by taking in excess passengers.
Tamayo also said Coast Guard personnel are instructed to be on the lookout against attempts to smuggle contraband such as drugs, firecrackers and deadly weapons.
He also said response teams are ready to respond to emergency calls.
He said a public passenger assistance center is being set up, to be manned by personnel of the Coast Guard, Philippine Ports Authority, and Maritime Industry Authority.
Tamayo advised passengers to call the Coast Guard hotline at 0917-PCGDOTC (0917-7243682). - with Carmela Lapena/LBG, GMANews.TV
Starting Tuesday, the LTFRB will grant special permits to allow bus operators to ply routes outside their franchises.
The special permits will be granted starting December 15 in response to requests from bus companies, said LTFRB Chairman Alberto Suansing.
“Ating pagbibigyan ang request ng mga bus company na mag-operate outside of their usual franchise routes, magmula itong 15th (We will accommodate requests by some bus companies to operate outside their usual franchise routes, starting on December 15)," Suansing said in an interview on dzXL radio.
Many bus companies had requested the special permits as they expect many Filipinos to go home to the provinces to spend the Christmas holidays, said Suansing.
In late October, the LTFRB issued special permits to some bus firms in anticipation of the yearly exodus of Filipinos to the provinces for the All Saints’ weekend.
For its part, the Philippine Coast Guard has started preparations to ensure maritime safety for the increased passengers this holiday season.
Coast Guard commandant Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said he has directed all Coast Guard units nationwide to enhance vigilance and “visibility
deterrence."
“Inaasahang tataas ang bilang ng maglalakbay sa bakasyon sa kapaskuhan (We expect the number of passengers to increase in time for the Christmas vacation)," said Tamayo on government-run dzRB radio.
He said this means primarily looking out for colorum or unregistered vessels that may risk overloading by taking in excess passengers.
Tamayo also said Coast Guard personnel are instructed to be on the lookout against attempts to smuggle contraband such as drugs, firecrackers and deadly weapons.
He also said response teams are ready to respond to emergency calls.
He said a public passenger assistance center is being set up, to be manned by personnel of the Coast Guard, Philippine Ports Authority, and Maritime Industry Authority.
Tamayo advised passengers to call the Coast Guard hotline at 0917-PCGDOTC (0917-7243682). - with Carmela Lapena/LBG, GMANews.TV
