MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III went on his yearly practice of inspecting transport terminals before the All Souls’ Day weeekend, and found the facilities “acceptable,” even as his Cabinet proposed further improvements on them.
On Thursday, October 31, Aquino inspected major passenger terminals in Metro Manila, including North Port Passenger Terminal Complex, Manila North Harbor, Southwest Interim Transport Terminal, and Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.
Travellers were expected to crowd these hubs at the start of Undas weekend 2013. (READ: Metro Manila rerouting schemes for Undas weekend)
“The status of the transport terminals were acceptable to the President. He was happy the passengers were comfortable and content with their travels,” said Presidential Communication Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, who came with Aquino in the inspections.
Transportation Secretary Jun Abaya, who was also part of the inspection group, said the President was “very meticulous” in his inspections, and conducted them “from the perspective of passengers.”
Among the preparations Abaya mentioned they undertook for the weekend include heightened alert, double deployment of personnel, and ambulant vendors in toll roads to ease bottleneck traffic in toll areas.
Abaya said among Aquino’s priorities in general were improving toilets and ensuring working X-rays.
At the ports, Abaya said, the Coast Guard and the Marina were issuing special permits for the sudden surge of demand for ships. At airports, members of the Civil Aeronautics Board were present to ensure passengers knew of the Air Passenger Bill of Rights.
During his visit to the Southwest Integrated Provincial Transport System (SWIPTS) at Uniwide Coastal Mall, in Baclaran, Paranaque City, Aquino was briefed by Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino on the status of operations.
They agreed to improve the terminal’s waiting area, increase drinking fountains, computerize dispatching, and start on-line booking, among others.
Secretary Manuel Roxas II, who joined the inspection, gave assurances the police would stay on full alert all weekend.
“With so many people traveling in the next two or 3 days, the traffic and the number of people going in and out of ports and airports – the alert level will remain and that’s one of the things the President made sure of. That the X-rays [are working], and that our police and aviation security groups stay alert,” he said. – Rappler.com
There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.