AVIATION and local government agencies have started issuing public advisories to ensure an orderly flow of people and vehicles as the nation observes the 2019 Undas, or All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day starting Friday.
The general manager of the Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa), Ed Monreal, on Sunday advised outbound passengers to be at their assigned airport terminals three hours before the scheduled departure of their international flights and two hours for domestic flights.
Besides the Miaa, local carriers led by Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific (CEB) expect a large volume of passengers traveling to the provinces during this year’s Undas.
Monreal also advised passengers to check their flight status and terminal assignment before heading to the airport by clicking the Flight Status Tab in the PAL web site and other airlines, or by calling (02) 8855-8888, then pressing 2 for Arrival and Departure Information at Terminal 2.
“Flight information is available two days before until two days after flight departure,” he said.
PAL passengers may check in via Web, mobile, or airport kiosks (available in Naia T-3, Cebu, Bangkok and Caticlan Airport Terminals) to avoid possible long lines at the airport.
The full list of prohibited items may be found on PAL’s web site, www.philippineairlines.com.
Travel-related concerns may be tackled through PAL’s 24-hour Reservations Hotline—(02) 8855-8888. Travel updates will also be posted on PAL’s Facebook page.
MMDA policy
FROM October 31 to November 4, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will implement a “no day off, no absent” policy for traffic enforcers.
MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim said the agency will set into motion an operations plan to ensure an orderly observance of Undas. Over 2,300 agency personnel will be deployed in key areas in Metro Manila upon the reactivation of Oplan Kaluluwa 2019 from October 30 to November 4, Lim said.
In order to accommodate more passengers going to the provinces and back, the MMDA suspended the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP), or number coding, for provincial buses on October 31, Thursday and November 4, Monday.
The number coding scheme for both private and public vehicles is automatically lifted on November 1, Friday.
Members of the Traffic Discipline Office shall be posted on major thoroughfares, bus terminals and other transport hubs; and monitor major cemeteries, including Manila North Cemetery, Manila South Cemetery, Bagbag Public Cemetery in Quezon City, Loyola Memorial Park and San Juan Public Cemetery.
“We shall conduct random/on-the-spot breathalyzer tests on bus drivers to determine whether or not they are under the influence of alcohol. Should they fail, they will not be allowed to drive unless they take a rest,” Lim added.
The Road Emergency Group shall set up public assistance centers and preposition ambulances at Manila North Cemetery, Loyola Memorial in Marikina, Bagbag Public Cemetery, San Juan Public Cemetery, Philtranco in Pasay and Araneta Terminal Station to provide public assistance and rescue services.
Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group shall provide assistance to commuters; help carry baggage of passengers at bus terminals and ensure the orderliness of the roads and sidewalks.
The Metro Parkway Clearing Group shall be responsible for the cleanliness in the surroundings of cemeteries before and after November 1.
Tasked monitoring groups are members of Metrobase Command Center, Digital Media Group and operators of the mobile Metrobase Command Centers—Agila 1 and Agila 2, for emergency and security surveillance operations.
Marikina’s plans
IN Marikina City, Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro has ordered all concerned departments to ensure security measures and traffic rerouting schemes on all roads leading to the five cemeteries in the city are in place for November 1 and 2.
Recently, Teodoro led the inspection of Loyola Memorial Park, Barangka Municipal Cemetery, Aglipay Cemetery, Holy Child Cemetery and Our Lady of Abandoned to make sure these have been cleaned and have undergone repairs.
As early as three weeks before Undas, the mayor said they began gearing up for the influx of people on Undas.
Teodoro has formed “Oplan Undas” Task Force, chaired by Councilor Manny Sarmiento, with members from the Marikina City Police, Office of Public Safety and Security, City Health Department, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office -Marikina Rescue 161, Bureau of Fire Protection, barangay officials, all stationed in the five cemeteries.
From noon of October 31 until 6 p.m. of November 3 (Sunday), traffic on selected roads in Marikina will be rerouted. The rerouting scheme may be seen on Marikina PIO Facebook page.
Recto L. Mercene and Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco