Transport authorities are prepared for the expected rush of passengers during the Holy Week break, Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said Tuesday.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has instructed government agencies to work together to ensure the safety and comfort of commuters and motorists during the holiday.
Lopez said the Department of Transportation (DOTr), in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Philippine National Police (PNP), Land Transportation Office (LTO), and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), will clear obstructions along highways and monitor transport hubs.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has activated 17,000 personnel since Saturday, March 28, to maintain order and assist travelers at airports, seaports, bus terminals, and railway stations. PCG vessels will also be stationed in busy ports to provide free rides to stranded passengers, particularly in Marinduque, Batangas, and Calapan.
Lopez said the DOTr expects at least five million passengers to travel during the long weekend.
Rail services, including LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3, will be closed from Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday for maintenance. However, the EDSA Busway and ride-hailing services will continue operating 24/7.
The LTFRB has issued 1,297 special permits to bus companies, with more expected to meet the high demand for road travel.
