DoTr assures 24/7 travel assistance visibility
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, who chairs the DoTr-SAICT, said the agency is focused on ensuring commuter safety and smooth operations
METRO Manila streets starting today, Holy Monday, would have less or none of the heavy traffic people hate. But wait when those vacationing in the provinces start coming home by the weekend.
DAILY TRIBUNE FILE PHOTO
With millions of Filipinos headed for the provinces for the Holy Week break, transport agencies and private operators are stepping up efforts to manage the surge across roads, terminals and airports.
The Department of Transportation’s Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (DoTr-SAICT) said over the weekend that it has deployed enforcers to secure EDSA Busway stations, major highways, and terminal exchanges until 23 April under “Oplan Biyahe Ayos: Semana Santa 2025.”
The initiative aims to ease congestion, enforce traffic laws, and maintain 24/7 visibility at key transit points during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, who chairs the DoTr-SAICT, said the agency is focused on ensuring commuter safety and smooth operations.
“It’s important for the DoTr to ensure that all preparations for Holy Week are well in place to provide passengers with a safe, fast, and comfortable journey. This is also a way to give them more time as they travel to their provinces and loved ones,” Dizon said.
To complement these efforts, Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC), the concessionaire for Cebu Cordova Expressway (CCLEX), NLEX, SCTEX, NLEX Connector, Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX), and Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX), is rolling out its “Biyaheng Arangkada Semana Santa” motorist assistance program from 16 to 21 April.
For CAVITEX, the program is carried out with the Philippine Reclamation Authority through PEA Tollway Corporation.
Anticipating a 10 percent rise in traffic, MPTC began deploying over 2,000 personnel on 8 April to manage vehicle flow and assist motorists along all MPTC expressways.
Easytrip RFID services will be available on-site for installation and reloading, with similar services offered for CCLEX at the Cordova-bound Toll Plaza Tent.
Motorists are also advised to inspect vehicles before travel, take breaks to avoid fatigue, and strictly follow traffic rules and speed limits.
Passengers are advised to arrive at least three hours early for international flights and two hours for domestic ones, double-check flight details, bring complete travel documents, and avoid carrying prohibited items.