Authorities firm up plans for Holy Week ‘exodus’

Firming up their plans for the yearly Holy Week exodus to the provinces, authorities on Sunday advised Filipinos planning to spend vacation out of town to take their trip earlier than usual. National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council head Benito Ramos said his teams as well as the Philippine National Police will stay on alert during the Holy Week, which starts April 17, Palm Sunday, until April 24, Easter Sunday. “Naka-alert kami, hindi kami magbabakasyon. Habang nagbabakasyon ang kababayan natin, magseserbisyo kami (We are on alert. We will not take a vacation. While our countrymen are taking their vacation, we will continue to serve)," Ramos said in an interview on radio dzBB. He advised Filipinos spending their Holy Week in the provinces to leave starting April 16 or 17, saying it will save them the trouble in overcrowded airports and seaports. PNP on alert Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) spokesman Superintendent Edwin Butacan said the mobile and motorcycle teams will be on alert In a separate interview on dzBB, Butacan said they are setting up assistance centers along highways to help motorists commuters during the Holy Week. Still, the PNP-HPG will have teams patrolling in Metro Manila. “Pag-uwi ng kababayan ang criminal elements may take advantage of the situation. Tuloy ang anti-carnaping operations at this time (When our fellow Filipinos go, criminal elements may take advantage of the situation. Our anti-carnaping operations continues at this time)," he said. Control points Butacan said the HPG will coordinate with non-government organizations in setting up the “motorist control points," where police and NGO members will board buses at key areas, giving passengers the chance to report any negligence on traffic violations by drivers. “Itatanong kung may complaint sa driver na gumagamit ng cell phone o overspeeding. Minsan ‘di masita, pero baka maaksidente (We will ask if there are complaints against drivers who use cell phones or are overspeeding. Sometimes it’s unnoticed, but accidents can happen)," he said. On the other hand, he said they will also go to bus terminals and give safety tips to drivers and passengers. The police is also suggesting not taking or dropping passengers off in the middle of the route, as criminals may take the opportunity to commit a crime, Butacan said. — VS, GMA News