PH transport sector ready for ‘Undas’: DOTr

FILE: Passengers show their vaccination cards before entering the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange on Monday (Jan. 31, 2022). (PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.)

MANILA – The country’s airports, land terminals, sea ports, and train systems are ready for the expected influx of passengers during All Saints’ Day or ‘Undas,’ an official of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Thursday.

Jonathan Gesmundo, executive assistant to the DOTr Secretary, expressed confidence that the exodus of passengers to the provinces will be smooth, with DOTr help desks to be activated during this period.

“Naghanda kami sa mga airports, sa mga terminal ng bus, sa mga seaport, sa mga istasyon ng tren, full complement ang mga tao nila ngayon, at inaasahan naming makakapagbigay kami ng ayuda (We have prepared airports, bus terminals, seaports, train stations—they now have a full complement of personnel—and we’re expecting to be able to provide assistance),” Gesmundo said in a Laging Handa briefing.

All airports, he said, will begin full deployment beginning Friday until Nov. 3.

He said all airports have also been inspected to ensure a smooth experience for passengers.

“Wala na kaming nakikita na iba pang dapat paghandaan dahil kumbaga ito ay pagbabalik noong dating dami ng mga pasahero bago magpandemya ay ngayon ay dadagsa na nga sila (We’re not seeing anything else we should get ready for because we have prepared for the return of the previous number of passengers before the pandemic),” he said.

Before the pandemic, he said air passengers reached four million in 2019, with this year’s ridership expected to increase by 10 percent.

“Umaasa kami na ngayong pagbabalik ng dating sigla ng paglipad, pagbiyahe (We’re expecting the return of significant activity in flights, travels),” he said.

He said the previous Tropical Depression Obet did little damage to airports in Basco, Cauayan, and Tuguegarao and will remain operational over the weekend.

Airports in Legazpi, Bohol, and some parts of Visayas are preparing for the onslaught of another Tropical Storm Paeng over the weekend and advisories may soon be released on the status of flights and cancellations.

“Inaantabayanan namin ang advice ng PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) kung ano ang dadaanan talaga nitong Bagyong Paeng (We’re waiting for the advice of PAGASA regarding the locations Paeng will pass through),” he said.

He reminded travelers to follow Covid-19 protocols such as wearing face masks and observing physical distance.

“Kampante kami na makapagbibigay nang maayos na serbisyo ang ating mga paliparan para maging ligtas at maayos, komportable ang biyahe ng ating mga pasahero ngayong Undas (We’re confident that our airports will provide good service to ensure safe, proper, and comfortable journey for our passengers during Undas),” he said.