THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) yesterday said the government has setup contingency measures in anticipation of the surge in passenger volume at roads, seaports, and airports for the holiday season.
Jonathan Gesmundo, executive assistant to the DOTr secretary, said the surge in the number of holiday travelers started two weeks ago and will continue until next week.
Gesmundo said three million passengers are expected to flock the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITx) and four million in seaports nationwide. An increase in air passengers is also anticipated although no figure was given.
Gesmundo said the DOTr, through the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), has approved additional slots for ride-hailing firms to accommodate passengers especially during the peak hours, and to service airport routes.
He also assured air passengers that there will be no power interruptions at the airports following the recent partnership of New NAIA International Airport (NNIC) and the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco).
Likewise, he said the schedules of the three rail systems have been adjusted to accommodate more commuters during the holiday rush.
From December 16 to 24, and on December 31, the MRT-3 will begin its first commercial trip from the North Avenue station at 4:30 a.m. Between December 16 and 23, the train line will extend its operating hours, with the last commercial train departing North Avenue at 10:34 p.m. and Taft Avenue at 11:08 p.m.
On the other hand, LRT Line 2, operating from Antipolo to Recto, will have its first commercial train at 5 a.m. on December 17, 23, 24, and 31.
Regular operating hours will be implemented from December 25 to December 30 and from January 1, 2025, onwards.
Gesmundo said the Philippine Coast Guard, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the police have also been tapped to ensure the safe, peaceful and orderly travel of all passengers.
CHRISTMAS AT THE PALACE
Malacañang yesterday opened its doors to the public as it hosted the start of the traditional nine-day Misa de Gallo.
It said Simbang Gabi Masses will be held daily until December 24 from 4 a.m. to 5 a.m. at the Kalayaan grounds.
Those who would attend the Masses could also enjoy native Christmas delicacies like “kakanin” and hot chocolate, which will be available in the vicinity.
The Palace also offered free carnival rides starting yesterday from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. to all parishioners, especially children.
Prior to the opening of the carnival rides, President Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos led the lighting of the Christmas tree also at the Kalayaan Grounds and hosted the annual “Balik Sigla, Bigay Saya Gift-giving Day” for children.
PEACEFUL
The first day of the nine-day Simbang Gabi was relatively peaceful, the PNP said as it reported that no untoward incident was recorded.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said the PNP will remain vigilant to ensure that the remaining days of the Simbang Gabi will also be peaceful.
“We have not received any report of any untoward incident at the start of Simbang Gabi. Hopefully, there will be no untoward incident until the end of the nine-day (Simbang Gabi),” she said during a radio interview.
“Based on our monitoring, many went to churches (for the Simbang Gabi) and so far, its peaceful,” she added.
Fajardo said policemen have been deployed to secure the Simbang Gabi and other places of convergence.
“We conducted mobile and foot patrols in the vicinity of the churches and areas where people usually go after Simbang Gabi. We also helped the LGUs (local government units) in managing traffic around the places of worship,” she said.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame, Fajardo said around 47,000 policemen were deployed to secure the first day of the nine-day Christmas novena.
She said the PNP has not receive any information about plans to sow violence during the Christmas season.
“As of now, we have not monitored any credible or serious threat that would somehow disrupt the holiday season,” she said.
“Nevertheless, we are going to maintain our aggressive security measures… to ensure the holiday season will be orderly and peaceful,” she also said.
COMPLETE THE NOVENA
Meanwhile, Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula urged the Filipino faithful to complete the nine-day Simbang Gabi Masses.
In his homily during the first day of the Simbang Gabi Masses at the Manila Cathedral, Advincula rallied the faithful to have the determination to complete the nine dawn Masses, and not just attend the first and last days.
“It’s Simbang Gabi once again. Nine days of fighting sleepiness and the cold weather to complete our devotion,” he said.
“Hopefully, those (who) are here in the first day will strive hard to complete the nine days. We’re all in this together,” he also said.
Simbang Gabi is the traditional nine-day series of evening/dawn Masses attended by Filipino Catholics in anticipation of Christmas.
Anticipated evening Simbang Gabi Masses run from December 15 to 23, while the dawn Simbang Gabi Masses will be from December 16 to 24. – With Jocelyn Montemayor, Victor Reyes and Gerard Naval
