THE PNP yesterday said it has not monitored any threats this Lenten season, even as the police force declared a “full alert” especially in historically vulnerable areas and vital installations in the country.
Director for Police Community Relations Maj. Gen. Roderick Augustus Alba, in a briefing in Malacanang, said the PNP has been coordinating closely with the Armed Forces and the Philippine Coast Guard to preempt threats from any groups who would want to sow disorder.
“We have not received any threat for that matter for our security and safety this Lenten Season as of today, but on the part of the PNP, we remain on full alert, especially in historically vulnerable areas,” he said.
Alba said the PNP has increased its personnel deployment especially around power plants, communication infrastructure, transportation terminals, churches and other places of worship, tourist areas and bus establishments, among others.
He said the PNP is also closely coordinating with private security groups, local crisis management councils and private volunteers for the strategic deployment of police personnel and mobilization of forced multipliers in key areas of convergence.
Alba said an estimated 65,000 policemen and volunteers are deployed nationwide for “enhanced police presence.”
This includes the 40,000 police deployed nationwide under the Ligtas SUMVAC 2025 (Safe Summer Vacation) and an additional 25,000 deployed for the Lenten break.
Ligtas SUMVAC runs from April 1 to May 31.
Coast Guard deputy spokesperson Commander Michael John Encina, in the same briefing, said 17,000 Coast Guard personnel have been deployed nationwide to assist inspections in ports as well as resorts and similar tourist establishments.
Encina said PCG vessels had also been deployed and placed on alert to be able to immediately respond to any maritime incidents.
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assistant secretary and spokeswoman Irene Dumlao said the disaster management and response teams of the agency have been placed on standby for any incident that may require its immediate assistance during the observance of the Holy Week.
She said that apart from the DSWD’s quick response teams (QRT), the agency also has on standby over P92 million in funds and more than 2.7 million family food packs (FFPs) ready for release.
Dumlao said DSWD is also closely coordinating with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) and other concerned agencies to monitor weather systems that may affect the country in the coming days.
“We want nothing but a peaceful observance of the Holy Week. But of course, disasters, whether natural or human-induced, may happen anytime. With this, we assure the public that our resources can be tapped and delivered immediately when the need arises,” she added.
MTRCB REMINDER
The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) reminded Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers that only “G” (General Patronage) and “PG” (Parental Guidance) rated content are allowed to be shown inside public vehicles.
“Our commitment is to ensure that the content shown in PUVs is safe for all passengers, particularly children traveling with their families,” said MTRCB Chairwoman Lala Sotto-Antonio, adding that the reminder is part of the Board’s wider responsibility to provide a safe, secure and enjoyable travel experience for everyone.
MTRCB Memorandum Circular No. 03-2024 classified common carriers like PUVs as “movie theaters” and stated that “common carriers and other public places can only exhibit such motion pictures and/or trailers classified by the Board as G or PG.”
This is to ensure that content remains appropriate and has no negative impact on minors traveling with their families.
POLICE DEPLOYMENT
PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said some 58,000 policemen have been deployed to ensure public safety during the Holy Week.
“We’re talking about 58,000 (personnel) being deployed. You’re going to see these 58,000 in the field,” Marbil told a radio interview.
Last April 4, the PNP said some 40,000 policemen will be deployed during Holy Week and the entire summer period to maintain peace and order.
“All the preparations (are in place). As we have said, we are already on heightened alert. While people are on vacation, we are on (heightened) alert,” said Marbil.
“During the time of the Holy Week, we have to spend our time servicing the people. We are really into public service,” said Marbil.
Marbil said policemen will be focusing attention on maintaining order in the streets amid the influx of travelers to the provinces.
Similar focus will be given to ensure the safety of people who will be going to the beaches. “We want to prevent drowning; that is why our personnel should be alert, especially the Marine Group,” said Marbil.
Marbil said policemen will also focus on anti-crime operations to prevent break-ins at houses that will be left by people going to the provinces.
“That’s one of our concerns. We have to talk to the barangay tanods, security guards, to help us maintain peace and order,” said Marbil.
Marbil urged people to ensure their homes are locked when they leave during the Holy Week.
“Let us not give them (burglars) the opportunity to break into our houses while we are out,” said Marbil.
RED CROSS AT WORK
More than 2,000 staff members and volunteers have been deployed by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) for its annual Holy Week operations.
In a statement, PRC said a total of 1,840 volunteers and 313 staff have been deployed to man 375 first aid stations set up nationwide until April 21.
“The PRC is on high alert for its annual Holy Week operations. The organization has deployed its assets and volunteers in key areas as many travelers and pilgrims visit various destinations,” said PRC Chairman Richard Gordon.
A total of 58 ambulance units, 90-foot patrol teams, 70 roving mobile units, and 40 service vehicles are also on standby in major public convergence points.
“We mobilized a network of ambulances, first aid stations, welfare desks, foot patrols, service vehicles, among others,” said Gordon.
PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwendolyn Pang urged the public to prepare first aid kits when they travel.
“Prepare a first aid kit for safety, which includes bandages, alcohol, medicines, and oral rehydration solutions (ORS) for dehydration, among others,” said Pang.
Earlier, the Department of Health (DOH) raised the Code White Alert nationwide for the observance of the Holy Week.
It said the Code White Alert, which ensures the readiness of health facilities and personnel to respond to any potential health emergencies, will run from April 13 to 20.
“The DOH will be closely monitoring health events and coordinating with regional and local health offices to ensure a synchronized and efficient response to any emergencies,” said Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa in a statement.
“All medical personnel, especially those in emergency rooms and critical care units, are prepared for a potential increase in patient volume due to accidents, injuries, or other health-related incidents that may arise during the Holy Week,” he added.
HOLY WEEK PAY
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reminded private sector employers to observe pay rules during the Holy Week.
Based on Labor Advisory No. 04-2025, DOLE said employees are entitled to additional pay during the regular holidays of Maundy Thursday (April 17) and Good Friday (April 18), as well as the special non-working day of Black Saturday (April 19).
For the regular holidays of Maundy Thursday (April 17) and Good Friday (April 18), the DOLE said that if the employee does not work, the employer shall pay 100 percent of the employee’s wage for that day, as long as the employee reports to work or is on leave of absence with pay on the day immediately preceding the regular holiday.
For work rendered during the regular holiday, the employer shall pay a total of 200 percent of the employee’s wage for that day for the first eight hours, and an additional 30 percent of the hourly rate on said day for overtime work.
For work during a regular holiday that also falls on the employee’s rest day, the employer shall pay the employee an additional 30 percent of the basic wage of 200 percent, and an additional 30 percent of the hourly rate on said day for overtime work.
For the special non-working day of Black Saturday (April 19), if the employee does not work, the “no work, no pay” principle shall apply, unless there is a favorable company policy, practice, or collective bargaining agreement (CBA) granting payment on a special non-working day.
For work during the special non-working day, the employer shall pay the employee an additional 30 percent of the basic wage on the first eight hours of work, and an additional 30 percent of the hourly rate on said day for overtime work.
And for work during the special non-working day that also falls on the employee’s rest day, the employer shall pay the employee an additional 50 percent of the basic wage on the first eight hours of work, and an additional 30 percent of the hourly rate on said day for overtime work.
Proclamation No. 727-2024 declared Maundy Thursday and Good Friday as regular holidays, while Black Saturday was designated as a special non-working day via Proclamation No. 727-2024. – With Victor Reyes and Gerard Naval
