The Highway Patrol Group (HPG) increased its deployment from 736 to 840 personnel during Holy Week to ensure public safety on major roads as travelers head to the provinces.

“The HPG went all out in deploying its personnel — even administrative staff were pulled in to boost visibility and ensure road safety during Holy Week 2025,” said PNP-HPG Public Information Officer PLt. Nadame Malang in Filipino during a radio interview on Tuesday.

Malang said the HPG is actively inspecting buses for violations that could lead to accidents, including faulty lighting systems that may endanger passengers during long trips.

“There are really instances where disregarding traffic signs is one of the top violations that the HPG apprehends. One of the top violations we record is disregarding traffic signs,” Malang said.

While most buses currently in operation appear to be compliant with regulations, the police official noted that reckless driving remains among the most frequent offenses.

To address this, the HPG has conducted awareness campaigns, seminars, and issued repeated reminders to drivers over the past months. Their presence on the roads has also been ramped up to promote discipline among motorists.

In addition to traffic enforcement, the HPG is inspecting vehicles for possible illegal contraband being transported during the election period.

“We’ve already entered the election period, and that’s one of the key areas the HPG is focusing on. With the election period already underway, this is one of our top concerns,” Malang noted.