Palace: Stay safe, be alert during Holy Week

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The government on Saturday, March 19, urged Filipinos to stay safe and be alert during the observance of the Holy Week, beginning on Palm Sunday, March 20.

It also called on everyone to pray for the country so that voters would choose leaders “based on conscience” during the May 9 elections.

In an interview with dzRB radio, Communications Undersecretary Manolo Quezon III said that “Oplan Semana Santa” is currently underway. It includes the inspection of airports, bus terminals, seaports and roads to ensure the safety of travelers during the Holy Week.

“[Our] appeal to everyone is [that] safety is everyone’s concern. So alerto lang po kung mayroon kayong napapansin na nakaabala sa inyo, ibanggit agad sa [Philippine National Police], sa Coast Guard, sa mga tumutulong sa ating mga kababayan sa paliparan, boats at sa mga bus terminals,” Quezon added.

(Let’s be alert. If you notice something that could disrupt the peace, report immediately to the police, the Coast Guard, to authorities helping our countrymen in airports, boats, and bus terminals.)

With the Holy Week happening during the summer, Quezon also stressed the importance of knowing about heat stroke and its effects on health.

He reminded travelers, “Make sure na palaging mayroon tayong dalang tubig at siguraduhin na ang mga baby at mga nakakatanda sa atin ay hindi ma-expose masyado at mahirapan lalo na kung mahaba ang biyahe.”

(Always bring ample amounts of water, and make sure that babies and the elderly are not exposed too much to heat, especially during long drives.)

Meanwhile, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. on Sunday, March 20, said that President Benigno Aquino III has ordered several goverment agencies to be ready to ensure the safety of Filipinos travelling going out of town for the Holy Week. Public assistance desks have been set up in all terminals to accommodate passengers.

“Patuloy ang isinasagawang inspeksyon sa mga terminal ng bus, paliparan at mga pantalan upang siguruhin na ligtas at maayos ang lagay ng mga pampublikong sasakyan maging ang seguridad at serbisyo sa mga bibiyahe sa panahon ng Cuaresma (There is an ongoing inspection of bus terminals, airports, and piers to ensure that public utility vehicles are safe to ride by families),” he said.

Prayers for voters

Quezon likewise asked for prayers for the voters who will troop to the polls on May 9.

“Let’s all keep praying for our country to make sure that all of us will do our duties and vote on election day according to our conscience,” he said.

Shifting to the 2016 elections, he said discussions are becoming as heated as summer. 

“Okay lang ‘yun lalo na kung passionate tayo tungkol sa mga kandidato natin, sino man ‘yun. Ang problema lang kung nagiging personal masyado and lahat naman tayo dadaan sa panahon kung saan mapipikon tayo or medyo maiinis,” he said.

(It’s okay for us to be passionate about the candidates we are supporting. The problem arises when discussions become too personal, until we reach a point when we become irritated or annoyed.)

“Siguro naman humanap tayo ng paraan para maintindihan ng kapwa natin, at huwag na gawing masyadong personal at below the belt ang pag-uusap,” urged Quezon. (Maybe we could find ways to understand each other, and avoid making discussions personal and below the belt.)

Ultimately, he said that after the elections, Filipinos would have to unite behind the winning president and vice president.

“Isang pangulo lang ang pipiliin natin, isang bise presidente at kung sino man ‘yun kailangan natin galangin ang mandato na binigay nating lahat,” said Quezon. (We will choose only one president and one vice president. Whoever that may be, we should respect the mandate we all gave.) – Rappler.com