PASSENGER INFLUX. Commuters make their way to the boarding areas of the Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange on June 26, 2023. The Department of Transportation (DOTr), its attached agencies, and other government offices on Friday (Oct. 27, 2023) activated Oplan Biyaheng Ayos 2023 that will place all transportation hubs on heightened alert to ensure the safety, security, and convenience of both passengers and motorists during the election and Undas. (PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.)
MANILA – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Friday activated Oplan Biyaheng Ayos 2023 to intensify security and monitoring in transportation hubs nationwide for the upcoming barangay elections and Undas.
DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista and Land Transportation Office (LTO) Chief, Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II inspected vehicles and facilities at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) as part of joint government efforts to ensure the safety and convenience of travelers.
“I also instructed the LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board) to ensure that there will be a sufficient number of buses in order to ensure delay or passengers being stranded in terminals,” Bautista said.
The heightened alert status for land transportation agencies under the DOTr will last until next week, he said.
Also part of the inspection, Mendoza said, are random drug tests for bus drivers to ensure they are not under the influence of any illegal substance.
“We also advise our riding public to inform us of any misbehavior on the road. We have hotlines and they can even tag our office on Facebook and other social media accounts,” he said.
LTO regional directors, he said, have been instructed to intensify roadworthiness inspections on bus terminals nationwide.
In a separate statement, the Office for Transportation Security (OTS), another attached agency of the DOTr, said a task group led by Transport Security Risk Management Service Director Eugenio Paguirigan will man the Transportation Operations Center 24/7 for coordination with stakeholders and government security agencies.
“The OTS also deploys auditors and inspectors in airports, seaports, bus terminals, and rail stations to ensure that transport operators implement and maintain adequate security measures to protect the traveling public from any untoward incident and acts of unlawful interference which may be committed by lawless elements during this peak season,” it said.
Similar to other frontline transportation agencies, the OTS canceled the vacation leaves of Airport Security Screening Officers to ensure adequate manpower at security screening checkpoints in all airports nationwide.
Earlier, the PCG, Maritime Industry Authority, and the Philippine Ports Authority -- all under the DOTr -- announced their participation in Oplan Biyaheng Ayos through the increased number of personnel in ports as well as intensified safety and security operations.
Frontline DOTr-attached agencies and government agencies like the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority also announced the temporary suspension of leaves and increased working hours to address the expected influx of both motorists and commuters. (PNA)
