Gov’t agencies on alert for Holy Week
President Duterte has ordered concerned government agencies to be on alert as people troop to the provinces during Holy Week.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said the President ordered the Department of Transportation to ensure the safety of travelers whether they take the bus, plane or ship.
Roque said Duterte stressed the need to implement measures to avoid accidents, citing a Dimple bus that crashed into a ravine in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro on Tuesday. Nineteen people died in the accident.
On Friday, the President directed the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group to inspect and ensure the roadworthiness of buses.
Duterte said the Philippine Coast Guard should inspect ports and ensure that vessels are seaworthy.
Roque said the Philippine National Police is on alert against criminals and terrorists who might take advantage of the Lenten break.
“As we expect the heavy movement of people this coming Holy Week, we have been gearing up security and safety preparations. Public safety remains our top priority,” he said in a statement.
“Law enforcement and security personnel have monitored no specific threat, but we will not put our guard down. Appropriate security measures are in place to ensure public safety. These include additional deployments in various areas aimed at safeguarding places of convergence, such as transport terminals, churches, malls and other public recreation areas,” Roque said.
He called on the public to support and cooperate with authorities to ensure a solemn observance of Holy Week.