Assistance, security in air and sea ports, land transport terminals in place for Undas

ASSISTANCE CENTERS and added security measures have been put in place over the weekend in transport terminals, in anticipation of the start of the influx of travelers for the Undas holidays. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), in a statement, said its Oplan Undas 2017 started Friday, Oct. 27, and will be in place and implemented in the country’s 39 commercial airports for the next two weeks. “Coordination has been made with airlines regarding the efficient processing of their passengers especially at the check-in counters,” CAAP said. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) opened Passengers Assistance Centers at the seaports beginning Oct. 26, in coordination with the Department of Transportation, Philippine Ports Authority, Maritime Industry Authority, other government offices and nongovernment groups. As of Sunday morning, the PCG has recorded almost 36,000 passengers in various ports. At the National Capital Region, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) Road Emergency Group will set-up tents to serve as public assistance centers with ambulances in various public and private cemeteries. MMDA said it will also dispatch members of the Reckless Driving Enforcement Team, Anti-Jaywalking Unit and Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group at bus terminals. Filipinos traditionally travel to their hometowns to visit their departed at the cemetery on Nov. 1 to 2, the All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day feasts of the Catholic Church. Malacañang has declared Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 as non-working days.